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We have a team dedicated to making our global food system better for people and the planet.
Peter Noy was appointed Director of the University of Nottingham Food Systems Institute in December 2024.
Pete Noy was previously the Associate Director of Research for the Future Food Beacon (2018-2023) and the Food Systems Institute (2023-2024), working with academic colleagues across the University of Nottingham to support the development and delivery of interdisciplinary research initiatives. He has extensive experience working at the boundaries between academia, industry, government and other actors in the food system and working with stakeholders across the globe.
Pete holds a Doctorate in Immunology from the University of Birmingham and an integrated masters (MSci) in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry from the University of Nottingham. Whilst in Birmingham he gained 10 years medical research experience as a molecular biologist working on blood vessel dysregulation during cardiovascular disease and tumour development. After his research career he spend two years as a Senior Research Development Manager working across Medical and Dental Sciences.
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Professor Wilson holds a chair in Agricultural Economics and has a wealth of expertise in senior management, delivery of large scale research projects and research translation delivering policy and industry impacts.
Paul’s research interests encompass agricultural and food economics, farm business management and behavioural change, sustainability and food consumer behavioural understanding. He has been active in research and policy communication through delivery of Government policy focused conferences, verbal input to a House of Lords enquiry, an All-Party Parliamentary Group presentation and via numerous news and media outlets.
Paul holds a Bachelors’ degree and Doctorate in Agricultural Economics from Newcastle University. Within his University of Nottingham academic career (1995 onwards) he was Head of School of Biosciences (2021-2023), Chief Executive of Rural Business Research [RBR] (2006-2022) and led Nottingham’s 2021 Unit of Assessment 6 REF submission (2015-2021).
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Nick Girkin is Assistant Professor in Environmental Science, joining the University of Nottingham in 2023.
Nick has wide-ranging interests in sustainable agricultural systems, with expertise in measuring and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, and carbon sequestration. He was extensive experience in working directly with a range of UK and international businesses of varying sizes (from SMEs to multinationals), delivering over 60 projects collectively valued at over £6.2M since 2020. Alongside research in UK farming systems, he has a strong focus on tropical crops, including tea, coffee, cocoa, and palm oil, working closely with smallholder farmers and farming cooperatives, in projects aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Nick holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Nottingham, where he also undertook his postdoctoral research (2019 – 2020) following a Fellowship at Teagasc (2018). From 2020 – 2023, he was Senior Lecturer in Plant Soil Systems at Cranfield University.
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Maimuna Jeng joined the University of Nottingham in September 2023, bringing experience in research, policy and science communication. She leads strategic communications, develops plans, materials and messaging that advance the Institute's mission to promote sustainable food systems globally. Maimuna also coordinates internal communication among academics and stakeholders across the university, fostering seamless collaboration in food systems and policy research.
Before joining the University, Maimuna gained extensive experience in the charity, public, and international development sectors. She excelled in translating complex scientific and policy-related concepts into accessible messaging for diverse audiences. Maimuna holds a Master’s degree in Global Media and Communications from SOAS, University of London, which provided her theoretical expertise in effective communication across global contexts.
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Joanna is a Senior Administrator within the Faculty of Science, providing help and support to the Food Systems Institute team and Project Administrator for GeoNutrition and Micronutrient Action Policy Support (MAPS) funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. At the same time, she provides and co-ordinates the administrative support for a number of active research projects from various research funding agencies and sponsors.
Joanna joined the School of Biosciences in November 2016, and provided support for the Future Food Beacon. Prior to this, she gained experience in the law and arts sector working for Cultivate, the cultural organisational development agency and Retina Dance Company, producing and touring contemporary dance in the UK and internationally, having graduated from Gdansk University in Poland with Master degree in Law.