Food security is often viewed as a critical foundation for health and well-being, but how do national food systems shape the lived experience of food insecurity? While individual food insecurity is known to negatively affect quality of life, the broader social and policy environments in which people live can either intensify or alleviate these impacts.
Drawing on data from more than 69,000 people across 47 countries, this seminar explores the complex relationship between food insecurity, national food security and subjective well-being. The research reveals that food insecurity affects well-being not only through material hardship, but also through psychosocial factors such as feelings of relative deprivation, loss of control and social isolation.
Importantly, the findings challenge the assumption that stronger national food systems are always protective. While some dimensions of national food security can help buffer the negative effects of food insecurity, others may inadvertently amplify feelings of inequality and disadvantage. By introducing a new “dual-pathway of resources and evaluation” framework, this study offers fresh insights into how macro-level food environments shape individual experiences and well-being outcomes.
Join us for an engaging discussion on the intersection of food security, social inequality and well-being and explore what these findings mean for policymakers seeking to build more resilient, equitable and people-centred food systems.
Monday 29 June
2.30pm - 4.30pm
R5, Ross Building, Lincoln University
Agenda
2.30pm: Guests arrive
2.45pm: CoE Introduction
2.50pm: Keynote Speaker
3.20pm: Q&A Session
3.30pm: Speaking finishes, guests network
4.30pm: Event finishes
About Our Speaker
Associate Professor Pengcheng
Associate Professor Pengcheng Liu is a researcher in the Department of Economics at Huazhong Agricultural University, China. Her work focuses on agricultural economics, food systems, consumer behaviour, food security, and rural development. Through interdisciplinary and cross-national research, she examines how economic, social, and policy factors influence food consumption, well-being, and sustainable development outcomes. Her research has been published in a range of academic forums and contributes to ongoing discussions around food policy, agricultural transformation, and global food security challenges.