Zero Hunger

About the Goal

2. Zero Hunger The United Nations aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture globally by 2030.

Northwestern is engaged in a broad range of research projects and other initiatives aimed at realizing this goal, from research examining the persistence of racial disparities in food insecurity to the role of food insecurity in adverse maternal and child health outcomes to the outcomes associated with investments in promoting health and nutrition in developing countries. Northwestern faculty are also engaged in initiatives to address food insecurity in underserved local communities in Chicago and throughout the U.S.

Northwestern Experts and Initiatives

Reynaldo Morales

Reynaldo Morales is an assistant professor at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications and a Northwestern Buffett Faculty Fellow. Morales’ work focuses on the restoration of Indigenous knowledge systems and the protection of Indigenous genetic resources. Prior to moving to United States, Reynaldo developed a long career in national and international TV Press and as investigative documentarian and media educator, ending with a UNDP consultant appointment to work with the Peruvian government in Women Rights and Human Development issues, during a very intense political violence decade. He is currently producing an independent film about the Indigenous struggles for sovereignty and biodiversity in the Global South.

Diane Schanzenbach

IPR Director Diane Schanzenbach is an economist who studies policies aimed at improving the lives of children in poverty, including education, health, and income support policies. Her work traces the impact of major public policies such as the Food Stamp Program, school finance reform, and early childhood education on children’s long-term outcomes. She is the Margaret Walker Alexander Professor in the School of Education and Social Policy. Her current work includes research focused on understanding the impacts of nutrition assistance programs—including the food-stamp program and school meals. In this ongoing work, she is investigating child outcomes such as health, obesity, and academic outcomes, and outcomes regarding family finances such as food security and spending. Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she has been researching the effects of the pandemic on food insecurity in real time.

Featured Course

Native American Environmental Issues and the Media (367-0-20)

This course introduces you to Native American environmental issues, such as treaty-based hunting, fishing, and gathering rights; air and water quality issues; mining; land-to-trust issues; and sacred sites with a particular emphasis on the First Nations in the Great Lakes region. In addition, it will also provide connections to corresponding international Indigenous environmental issues, and the responses and debates across science research, news and international policy contexts. The central case study of the seminar will be water and fishing rights for Indigenous Peoples, and how they are part of larger land rights issues.