Carol Richards

Professor Carol Richards is a sociologist specialising in sustainable food systems, holding dual roles as Deputy Program Leader (Sustainable Agrifood Systems) and Professor at QUT's School of Management within the Faculty of Business & Law. Her work integrates societal, economic, and environmental dimensions to address food security, digital agriculture, and governance challenges. She holds a PhD (2007) and two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology from the University of Queensland, including a First-Class Honours degree awarded the John Western Prize.

Research focuses include food system shocks from climate events and market speculation, digital agriculture's implications for farmer livelihoods, and the privatization of food governance. Notable projects include a $256k ARC grant studying horticultural sector shocks (2023–) and a $719k Food Agility CRC grant developing a circular food economy prototype. She has contributed to policy reforms through submissions to Senate inquiries and the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct review.

• Key Projects: Digital Circular Food Economy, Meat Supply Chain Waste Mapping, AgTech Adoption Barriers
• Awards: John Western Prize for Honours Sociology (2001)

Her grants total over $975k, addressing systemic food waste, climate resilience, and supply chain equity. She is actively involved in civil society, serving as Vice-President of the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance. Research spans 30+ peer-reviewed publications, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to food systems' socio-technical transitions.