Martin Watts

Dr Martin Watts is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Geography and Planning, University of Sheffield, joining in July 2023. He currently works on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded INFUSION project focused on Indian food systems for improved nutrition, following prior involvement in the UKRI GCRF TRADE Hub project examining social impacts of coffee production and trade.

His academic credentials include a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Southampton (thesis on climate change impacts on Tanzanian agroforestry), an MSc in Environmental Change and International Development from the University of Sheffield, an MSc in Social Research Methods from the University of Southampton, and a BSc in Physical Geography from the University of Hull.

Martin's research centers on climate resilience in agricultural and food systems within low-mid-income countries, investigating how environmental changes affect human well-being through socio-ecological frameworks. He employs mixed methods combining qualitative participatory techniques with advanced statistical analysis to address sustainability challenges across food security, ecosystem services, and environmental-social system interactions.

Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on tropical agricultural systems under climate change, particularly East African homegardens, with recent expansion to Indian food environments. This trajectory demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of environmental science, development studies, and nutrition research.

He supervises MSc dissertations in International Development and teaches core modules including Theory and Debates in Food Security, Research Skills for Global Sustainable Development, and Sustainability in Practice, emphasizing pedagogy in mixed methods and climate resilience.

Martin actively collaborates within the INFUSION project team and previously with the TRADE Hub consortium, engaging international partners on food systems, trade, and environmental sustainability challenges.