Natalie Savona
PhD student
email: n.j.savona@qmul.ac.ukSchool of Geography
Queen Mary, University of London
Mile End Road, London E1 4NS
Thesis title: Exploring responsibility in the food system
The aim of this research is to explore the tension in the boundaries of responsibility between different actors in the food system.
The common usage of ‘responsibility’ in public health discourse belies its subjective and intangible nature. This research emphasises the importance of consensus on the meaning and loci of responsibility, and questions whether it is proportionally delineated between different actors in the food system.
Emerging from a unique synthesis of research on the food system, public health and social justice, this project aims to elucidate, qualitatively, the way in which the public, industry and government understand and construct the concept of responsibility in relation to diet, with regard to health.
The research is divided into three stages: discourse analysis of documents, followed by focus groups with the public and subsequent interviews with representatives from industry and government.
Key words: responsibility, food choice, dietary determinants, health inequalities, behavioural justice, qualitative research
Supervisors: Professor Steven Cummins, Dr Dianna Smith, Dr Beth Greenhough
Funding: Queen Mary, University of London studentship
Background
Natalie has training in anthropology, public health and nutrition. She has conducted research on obesity and on sexual health. Before returning to academic study, Natalie wrote regularly in the press, appeared on radio, presented TV series and authored popular books on food and health.
MPhil Public Health (University of Cambridge, 2010)
MA Medical Anthropology (University of Sussex, 2009)
BA Hons Arabic & Social Anthropology (University of Cambridge, 1990)
Academic publications & presentations
- Savona, N. (2012) “Uncertain responsibility in the food system” oral presentation at European Association of Social Anthropologists Biennial Conference, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense July 2012
- Savona, N. (2011) “Proportional responsibility in the food system” oral presentation at The Annual Health & Welfare Symposium, University of Cambridge Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities 28 June 2011
- Savona N (2011) “Older People are at risk of sexually transmitted infections” Sexually Transmitted Infections 2011;87:70
- Thompson C, Savona N & Cummins S Review article: Faculty of 1000 of “Household routines and obesity in US preschool-aged children.” Anderson SE, Whitaker RC; http://f1000.com/6734958