Expert Workshops and Research Studies

Many of the water and food systems challenges that J-WAFS seeks to address can’t be solved by a single individual or a single institution. Collaboration is critical, therefore J-WAFS leverages MIT’s convening power to produce international-scale expert workshops and research studies that bring together some of the leading researchers and institutions to develop solutions

Examples of our work in this area

Corn growing in dry field

Food and Climate Systems Transformation (FACT) Alliance

Identifying Research Opportunities for Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies

A cross-institutional, multidisciplinary research effort identifying critical knowledge gaps for policy, research, and technology needs at the nexus of climate change and food systems.
Several people sitting at tables in the conference room at the workshop.

Strengthening Science-to-Action Collaboration for Food Systems Transformation in an Uncertain Climate Workshop

September 27-29, 2022

The FACT Alliance's first organized workshop invited attendees from over 40 global organizations to lay the framework for the FACT Alliance to conduct collaborative, transdisciplinary, action-orientated research for improving food systems worldwide.
Man presenting at conference

Climate Change, Agriculture, Water, and Food Security Expert Workshop

May 8-9, 2018

Invited experts gathered for this two-day workshop to assess current knowledge of the impacts of climate change on water, agriculture, food systems, and adaptation strategies.
Wind turbines

Low-Carbon Desalination Workshop

October 17-18, 2016

This two-day gathering of experts addressed the research, development, and demonstration needs for producing fresh water with a minimal carbon footprint.
Ethiopian Dam in front of body of water

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Workshop

November 13-14, 2014

This two-day gathering of experts addressed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its implications for regional cooperation and economic development in the Nile basin.

“In climate research related to food and agriculture, there is much analysis, but action paralysis…To truly transform food systems so that they are climate-resilient and equitable, we must adopt big-picture, action-oriented thinking by creating more strategic agendas, involving stakeholders from the start, and measuring success by whether or not the research has been able to benefit society in tangible ways.”

—Ana Maria Loboguerrero, PhD, Director for Climate Action, CGIAR, Alliance Bioversity International-CIAT during her Keynote Address "Transforming food systems under climate change through innovation" at the 2022 FACT Alliance Workshop

Ana Maria Loboguerrero headshot

Research Highlights

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