{"id":62,"date":"2019-08-29T18:03:45","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T18:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/units.cals.ncsu.edu\/food-systems-comm-hub\/?page_id=62"},"modified":"2025-11-03T16:26:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T21:26:01","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/units.cals.ncsu.edu\/food-systems-comm-hub\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Meet the Hub<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

New and novel innovations within our food system are critical for meeting global challenges such as changing climates and food insecurity – as long as they are sustainably developed and consider the needs of various audiences. Complexifying this process is the decline in public trust in the food systems. As scientists, we are tasked with translating our research for the public good and ensuring our science effectively meets both the needs of our stakeholders as well as the consumers benefitting from our science. Meeting the nexus of these interlocking challenges motivated the launch of the Hub for Food Systems Communication and Engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n

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OUr Staff<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"Katie\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Katie Sanders, PhD<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

Hub Director
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Food Systems Communication<\/em>
catherine_sanders@ncsu.edu<\/a>
LinkedIn<\/a>
BlueSky<\/a>

Dr. Catherine (Katie) Sanders is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of Food Systems Communication in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at NC State. Her research and extension efforts focus on increasing the practice of stakeholder engagement as a component of effective science communication for agri-food innovations and technologies. Specifically, her goal is to leverage research, praxis, and the university system to enhance the social sustainability of agri-food technologies and create an overall more sustainable food system.
Interested in learning more about Dr. Sanders\u2019 work? Explore her profiles on ORCID<\/a> or ResearchGate<\/a> to find her past works. \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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\n \"Bhavisha\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Bhavisha Gulabrai, MS<\/strong><\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

Doctoral Student\/Graduate Research Assistant
Food Systems Communication<\/em>
bpgulabr@ncsu.edu<\/a>
LinkedIn<\/a>

Bhavisha Gulabrai is a doctoral student and graduate research assistant studying Food Systems Communication in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at NC State. Her research interests involve exploring consumer perceptions of animal welfare in the laying hen industry. Her goal is to bridge the gap between animal agriculture and the general public with the hopes of disseminating science-based information regarding animal welfare and management practices amongst consumers.\u00a0 \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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\n \"Joseph\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Joseph Opoku Gakpo, PhD<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

Agricultural Communications Scholar\u00a0
jogakpo@ncsu.edu<\/a>\u00a0
LinkedIn<\/a>

Dr. Joseph Opoku Gakpo is an agricultural & science communications scholar, and a food systems policy analyst. He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Education and Human Sciences from NC State University. A former journalist, his interdisciplinary research explores strategies for communicating agricultural biotechnologies such as GMOs and gene-edited organisms, so consumers can make informed decisions about these innovations in their foods. As a food systems policy analyst, he analyzes and advises on policies that shape the production and governance of food in Africa. He facilitates stakeholder engagements that promote integrated approaches to tackling Africa\u2019s complex food system challenges.

Interested in learning more about Dr. Gakpo\u2019s work? Explore his profiles on ORCID<\/a> or ResearchGate<\/a> to find his past works. \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n \n\n

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Ruwini Bandara<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

Doctoral Student\/Graduate Teaching\/Research\/Extension Assistant
Agricultural Education and Human Sciences
abandar5@ncsu.edu

Ruwini Bandara reads for her PhD in Agricultural Education and Human Sciences at the
Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at NC State University. She is interested in
exploring the farmer communities and keen on learning how they perceive and adopt agri-food
innovation. She intends to generate insights that would strengthen sustainable food systems
and empower farming communities. \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n\n\n\n \n\n

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Nolan Speicher<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

Doctoral candidate in Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media
nspeich@ncsu.edu

Drawing on mixed methods, he studies public discourse surrounding emerging technologies of the environment and the intersection of science and public policy. His dissertation project approaches these topics through a close study of advisory reporting at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), focusing specifically on the evolution of NASEM reporting on non-human applications of genetic engineering. Prior to his work at the Hub, he spent two years as an NSF-supported AgBioFEWS Fellow. \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hub Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Increase the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of research and development for agri-food innovations <\/strong>through community and stakeholder engagement and feedback within the R&D process, increasing transparency and responsiveness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Promote best practices for participatory science communication<\/strong> to improve engagement efforts through Cooperative Extension through trainings, webinars, and continuous learning informed by our rigorous social science research.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Examine public trust in agri-food systems<\/strong> through mixed-method monitoring of consumer perceptions and proactive communication around emerging issues.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Hub Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Collaborating and consulting with researchers, industry leaders, and others to conduct engagement around emerging agri-food innovations and technologies;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Hosting The Science that Feeds Us<\/em> podcast to showcase the stories of the science behind the food on our plates;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Fostering on-going professional development opportunities for engagement scholars and practitioners through the Community of Practice for University Outreach and Extension Engagement.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Strategic Alignment and Priorities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The Hub supports the NC State Extension Strategic Plan Priority 2: Provide High-Caliber, Impactful Programming that Meets the Needs of Local Communities<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n