PhD Regenerating labour in food provisioning

at  Wageningen University Research

ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATING SUSTAINABLE FUTURES IN AGRICULTURE? DO YOU WANT TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF TRANSFORMING THE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SECTOR INTO ONE THAT IS NOT ONLY REGENERATIVE BUT ALSO OFFERS APPEALING AND SECURE WORK ENVIRONMENTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES? THEN THIS PHD OPPORTUNITY MAY INTEREST YOU.

In October 2024 a new, large-scale project focused on regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands will commence. Together with regenerative Dutch farmers, ReGeNL is developing a future-proof agricultural sector in which agriculture goes hand in hand with soil improvement and restoration of biodiversity, and a good revenue model for farmers. Between now and 2030, ReGeNL will start the transition to regenerative agriculture with 1000 farmers. The aim is to make regenerative agriculture the new normal by 2040.
This PhD will be one of 19 PhDs being recruited to support the monitoring, modelling and valuing of regenerative farms in the Netherlands. This large-scale transdisciplinary project (ReGeNL) will assess which combinations of practices contribute to regenerative outcomes at 8 different types of regenerative agriculture systems. The project aims to be an accelerator for the transition to a regenerative, remunerative and socially supported agricultural sector.
Research indicates that the neoliberal restructuring of the agricultural and food system, along with globalization and technological intensification, may compromise the position of workers. Many employees in the agricultural and food sector have found themselves in precarious circumstances. Empirical studies demonstrate that the effects of globalization and technological intensification are particularly challenging for employees with vocational training, women, young people, and employees with a migration background. There is still a need for more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between regenerative agricultural and food processing practices and working conditions, as well as the overall quality of work.
In this PhD project you are investigating how an integrated approach to all these aspects can contribute to creating appealing work environments for current and future employees in the agricultural and food sector.

Please refer the Job description for details