Integrated mixed methods policy analysis for sustainable food systems: trends, challenges and future research

Main author: Cuevas, Soledad
Format: Journal Article           
Online access: Click here to view record


id eprints-30160
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description Agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, an important part of which is associated to deforestation and indirect land use change. Appropriate and coherent food policies can play an important role in aligning health, economic and environmental goals. From the point of view of policy analysis, however, this requires multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary approaches which can be highly complex. Important methodological advances in the area are not exempted from limitations and criticism. We argue that there is scope for further developments in integrated quantitative and qualitative policy analysis combining existing methods, including mathematical modelling and stakeholder analysis. We outline methodological trends in the field, briefly characterise integrated mixed methods policy analysis and identify contributions, challenges and opportunities for future research. In particular, this type of approach can help address issues of uncertainty and context-specific validity, incorporate multiple perspectives and help advance meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration in the field. Substantial challenges remain, however, such as the integration of key issues related to non-communicable disease, or the incorporation of a broader range of qualitative approaches that can address important cultural and ethical dimensions of food.
format Journal Article
author Cuevas, Soledad
author_facet Cuevas, Soledad
authorStr Cuevas, Soledad
author_letter Cuevas, Soledad
title Integrated mixed methods policy analysis for sustainable food systems: trends, challenges and future research
publisher BMC part of Springer Nature
publishDate 2016
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/30160/