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Prof Nigel Unwin

Professor

  • n.unwin2@exeter.ac.uk

Nigel is a public health physician and epidemiologist with a longstanding interest in the distribution, determinants and prevention of diabetes and related non-communicable diseases, both in the UK and in lower income settings outside the UK. Over the past few years his research interests have increasingly focused on food systems and the interrelated challenges of achieving sustainable, resilient, food production and improved, equitable human nutrition.

He began and developed his academic career at Newcastle University, becoming a professor of epidemiology, has worked as a medical health officer at the World Health Organization in Geneva, and been a professor of population health sciences at the University of the West Indies. Along with his current part time position at the University of Exeter, he is also director of research in global public health research at the University of Cambridge.

Nigel’s current research aims to understand and intervene on the links between food production and ecosystem and human health i.e. on the links between food production and planetary health. Much of his current work is being undertaken in collaboration with partners in the Caribbean, Pacific and Philippines, in small island settings where the challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and nutrition related diseases are particularly acute. This work is interdisciplinary, involving, for example, collaboration between agricultural, environmental, social and population health scientists.

Read more about Nigel’s research here

Follow Nigel on LinkedIn here

Prof Nigel Unwin
Full publication list Twitter profile

Key Colleagues

  • Prof Cornelia Guell

    Prof Cornelia Guell

  • Dr Emily Haynes

    Dr Emily Haynes

  • Belinda Broughton

    Belinda Broughton

Related content

Research project

Food production in small island states

Improving community-based food production in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Research project

Transdisciplinary data assemblages

Synthesising existing data sources to inform food policy and action in the Caribbean.

Research project

Caribbean foodscapes

Understanding how historical data of Caribbean foodscapes can inform policy and improve nutrition and health. This project focused on the historical and epidemiological transitions in urban Caribbean foodscapes and aims to understanding the past to enhance future healthy eating practices.

Research project

Community food and health

Establishing a research programme to evaluate community food production initiatives.

Contact details

European Centre for Environment and Human Health

University of Exeter Medical School

Peter Lanyon Building 12

Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 8RD

  • T: +44 (0) 1326 371859
  • E: ECEHHAdmin@exeter.ac.uk

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