Professor Rachel Norman

Chair in Food Security & Sustainability

Mathematics Stirling,

Professor Rachel Norman

Contact details

About me

I graduated with a first class honours degree in Mathematics from Liverpool University in 1991.I then went on to do a PhD jointly supervised by Roger Bowers in the Mathematics and Mike Begon in the Ecology departments funded by a Wellcome Trust prize studentship. I spent a year in Oxford Zoology department modelling the dynamics and control of Lymphatic filariasis. I started work as a lecturer in the Mathematics and Statistics group in Stirling in 1996 and went half time in 2001. I was promoted to Senior lecturer in 2003 and to Reader in 2010. In January 2013 I started a new role as Professor of Aquatic Food security. We set up the Centre for Aquatic Food Security which is a virtual interdisciplinary centre which looks at the role of Seafood in the wider food security picture. I then led the University Research Programme on Global Food Security which brings together colleagues from across the University who are applying their research to problems in food security. In April 2019 I took on the role of Institutional Dean of Research Engagement and Performance. In my Institutional Dean role I am particularly keen to ensure that we provide a positive and collaborative research environment which helps all people to reach their potential.

My background is in mathematical modelling of infectious disease dynamics and control. I have worked extensively on models of tick borne pathogens, specifically Louping ill virus. I am interested in both developing new modelling techniques and solving real life problems. Much of my past work has been on wildlife pathogens and aquatic parasites in particular. More recently I have turned my focus to Food security and am really interested in how we can understand the complex interactions which make up our food system. In particular non- linearities in the food system and have had a Levehulme Fellowship to work on this. I was also Stirling PI on a Belmont Forum funded proposal looking at biological control of snails which are vectors of schistosomiasis using prawns which can also be used as a food source . I have been developing interdisciplinary projects to help us tackle the transformation that the food system will require in order to ensure a equitable, food secure world. I am theme lead for the Scottish Alliance for Food (SCAF) and am the lead for the Food theme in the Scotland Beyond Net Zero network.

Keywords: Food security. Mathematical modelling of infectious disease dynamics and control. Specific interests in emerging diseases and food security.

Research Opportunities Potential PhD students who would like to come and work with me are encouraged to get in touch in order to discuss potential projects. I am interested in anything in the broad area of mathematical modelling in food security. Some specific examples of potential projects include:

Applying the theory of marginal gains to healthy eating: Given the current predictions about future population growth and food production capacity it is clear that we, in the developed world, cannot continue to eat the same diets as we currently do. These diets are both unhealthy and environmentally demanding. This project will have dietary choices at its core and will take a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to investigating sustainable nutrition. We will develop and test a novel individual and distribution based mathematical model of human health metrics and associated diets. It will provide quantifiable evidence which links food choices, production systems, and health and environmental outcomes. The model will identify the dietary changes which lead to improved outcomes for health and sustainability. We will develop a practical, transparent and flexible tool which allows all stakeholders to investigate the range of choices available to them, and the consequences in terms of health, the economy, and sustainability.

Nonlinearities in the food system: How can we use mathematical approaches to help us to understand tipping points, feedback loops and trade offs in different aspects of the food system. Can we then use those non linearities to our advantage? Are there real world examples where a small change in behaviour will produce a greater than expected benefit. Alternatively how do we ensure we avoid tipping points - can we tell how close to them we are?

Community Contribution

Vice president of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society
Edinburgh Mathematical Society

President of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society
Edinburgh Mathematical Society

Education

Degree in Mathematics
University of Liverpool

PhD
University of Liverpool

Professional membership

British Ecological Society
The British Ecological Society

Edinburgh Mathematical Society
Edinburgh Mathematical Society

Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes