The Politics of Food and Digital Technologies in Changing Global and Local Crises
In this introductory blog, Yasmin Houamed argues that digitalisation is not a neutral innovation but a political process, fraught with risks and vulnerabilities.
Team goes to IHSA conference in Istanbul
The team organised a panel on ‘The politics of food and technology in changing global and local crises’ at the conference of the International Humanitarian Studies Association in Istanbul (15-17 October).
Presentation at IDS conference on Social and Humanitarian Assistance in Crisis
Tamer and Susanne presented a paper at the IDS conference (from 15-17 September 2025) on ‘The Politics of Digitalising Food Assistance in Sudan’s Crisis, and its Effect on the Food Security of Marginalised Populations’.
Team analysis workshop in Cairo from 2-7 July 2025
The international team met in Cairo (with Indian colleagues joining online) to discuss the preliminary analysis of our three country cases, start a comparative analysis, and plan our publications and dissemination strategy.
Yasmin Houamed presents at the Future Food Symposium 2025
On May 21, 2025, Yasmin presented on findings from the Birmingham case study at the Future Food Symposium 2025, hosted by the University of Birmingham's Business School.
Beyond efficiency: Exploring the complex impact of digital welfare systems on food security in the UK
This working paper examines the digitalisation of food assistance in the UK, focusing on its implementation, challenges, and socio-political implications.
AI was supposed to make the UK benefits system more efficient. Instead it’s brought bias and hunger.
A freedom of information request has revealed that an AI system used by the UK government for assessing benefits cases is apparently getting it wrong by a “statistically significant” amount.
Iris Lim’s presentation at the Future of Immigration Conference 2024
On 5 November 2024, Iris Lim presented “Digital Access to Welfare Services and Food Assistance for Migrants in the UK” at the Future of Immigration Conference 2024.
UK Team participate in the Festival of Social Sciences 2024 at SOAS
The UK team co-delivered an interactive workshop “Digital Solutions for Food Insecurity: Can Technology Address Food Access Challenges?”
Research team present at the DSA 2024 Conference
Check out our panel on ‘governance, politics and food security’ at the upcoming DSA conference.