Professor Martin Caraher

Professor of Food and Health Policy

Room: C310, Tait Building, Northampton Square
T: +44 (0)20 7040 4161
E: m.caraher@city.ac.uk

Biography

Martin is professor in food and health policy at Centre for Food Policy at City University, London. He originally trained as an environmental health officer in Dublin. After working in the north west of Ireland he developed an interest in the public health and health promotion aspects of the work. He spent some time working in the Irish and the English health services managing health promotion and public health services respectively.

He has worked extensively on issues related to food poverty, cooking skills, local sustainable food supplies, the role of markets and co-ops in promoting health, farmers markets, food deserts & food access, retail concentration and globalisation.

Current research interests include:

• The role of local food projects in promoting health
• Access to food in urban areas
• The contribution of local food projects to health and wellbeing
• A review of the planning process in promoting food and health
• The role of food markets in promoting health and well-being
• Farmers markets and new selling spaces
• Food co-operatives and social enterprises
• Food Banks and welfare policies
• Cooking skills among young people and the changing nature of food skills and the culinary transition
• Health literacy including cooking as a key skill
• Food safety in the household setting - the role of food literacy
• Urban spaces and policy development
• Food security and food banks

Recent work has focused on the impact of food advertising on children's food choices and the impact of advertising regulation. In addition he has been developing work in schools and this has included work for the UK Dept of Health, the World Health Organization (Europe) on school feeding programmes in Latvia and for the World Bank on school food in Lesotho. He is working with colleagues in Australia in the Coalition on Food Advertising to Children, sharing ideas and resources. His interests in sustainability come from the perspective of local food chains and the attempts by social enterprises to build sustainability into their work.

He has worked for and acted as a consultant to the UK Dept of Health, the World Bank and the World Health Organisation. He was a trustee of the Caroline Walker trust. He was a member of the original London Food Board which developed the food strategy for London. He was a member of the Olympic Food Group representing public health interests on behalf of public health in the region. He also sat on the South East Food and Public Health Group which developed a food strategy for the SE region and from which the London food strategy emerged. He is currently a member of the safefood Scientific Advisory Committee and an advisor to a number of social science research groups across Europe, as well he is an advisor to the European Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (DG Sanco). He is a member of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) scientific committee. He has been involved in the following:

• Bristol food strategy
• Brighton and Hove food policy
• Islington Food Policy and Hearty Islington
• Policy for fast food outlets in Tower Hamlets, Barking & Dagenham, Merseyside and Glasgow
• Member of the Scottish Food and Drink Policy Group
• Member of the Scottish Food Research Working Group
• Advisor to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology on NUTRITIONAL STANDARDS IN UK SCHOOLS, 2009
• Advisor to the Glasgow Centre for Population Health
• Advisor to the International Federation for Home Economics on global aspects of food policy
• Chair of the Healthy Communities Collaborative
• Member of the Olympic Food Group

He was the 2008 HealthWays (West Australia) scholar and spent two months in Perth, WA examining issues of access to food and food banks. During this period he worked with local service providers, policy makers and academics.

He regularly reviews for a wide range of journals and organisations ranging from Public Health Nutrition to Social Science and Medicine.

He regularly appears on TV and radio in relation to food issues.

Some publications

Articles

• Cairns, G., Angus, K., Hastings, G. and  Caraher, M. ( 2013) Systematic reviews of the evidence on the nature, extent and effects of food marketing to children. A retrospective summary.  Appetite 62: 209-215.
• Seed, B., Lang, T., Caraher. M. and Ostry, A. (2013) Integrating food security into public health and provincial government departments in British Columbia, Canada Agriculture and Human Values; 1-14.
• Caraher M, Carey R, McConell K, Lawrence M (2013) Food Policy Development in the Australian State of Victoria: A Case Study of the Food Alliance International Planning Studies Forthcoming.
• Caraher, M., O'Keefe, E., Lloyd, S. and Madelin, T. (2013) The planning system and fast food outlets in London: Lessons for Health Promotion Practice Forthcoming:  Revista Portuguesa de Saúde Pública.
• Caraher, M, Machell G (2012) Defining food co-ops. In Sustainable Food Planning. Editors: Viljoen AM, Wiskerke JSC. 223-232. Wageningen Academic Pub 30 Apr 2012.
• Machell G, Caraher M (2012)  Traditional food markets: reassessing their role in food provision.  In Sustainable Food Planning. Editors: Viljoen AM, Wiskerke JSC. 127-136. Wageningen Academic Pub 30 Apr 2012.
• Caraher M. Cooking in Crisis: Lessons from the UK. Paper presented at the Dublin Gastronomy Symposium, 5th June, 2012.
• Caraher M (2011) Food Austerity: a lifestyle choice for whom! Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia. 18(2):17-25.
• Caraher, M. and Carey, D. (2011) Issues On Food Sustainability in Australia: Part II. Nutridate 22 (2): 2-5.
• Caraher, M. and Carey, D. (2011) Issues On Food Sustainability in Australia: Part II. Nutridate 22 (2):2-5.
• Lloyd S,  Lawton J, Caraher, M, Singh G,  Horsley K, and Mussa F. (2011) A tale of two localities: Healthy Eating on a restricted income.  DOI: 10.1177/0017896910364837.
• Caraher, M. and Carey, D. (2010) Issues On Food Sustainability in Australia. Nutridate. 21(4): 2-6.
• Caraher,M.  Lloyd S,  Lawton J,  Singh G,  Horsley K, and  Mussa F. (2010) A tale of two cities: A study of access to food, lessons for public health practice.  Health Education Journal, Jun 2010;. 69,  200 - 210.
• Caraher M and Seeley A (2010)  Cooking in schools: Lessons from the UK, Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia, 17 (1), 2-9.
• Seeley, A. Wu, M and Caraher M (2010) Should we teach cooking in schools? A systematic review of the literature of school-based cooking interventions. Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia, 17 (1), 10-19.
• Bowyer, S., Caraher, M., Eilbert, K. and Carr-Hill R. (2009). Shopping for Food: Lessons from a London Borough. British Food Journal, vol 111, issue 5, pp 452-474.
• Caraher, M. (2009) Food and Fairness through ecological public health? A critical analysis. Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia, 16, (2), 2-6.
• Caraher, M. (2008) Food and Health promotion: Lessons from the field. Health Education Journal; 67, (1); 3-8.
• Caraher, M (2008) Sustainability-considering the pillars of sustainability as a theoretical paradigm,  Victorian Journal of Home Economics, vol 47, no 2, pp 25-32.
• Caraher, M and Dowler, E. (2007) Food projects in London: lessons for policy and practice - A hidden sector and the need for 'more unhealthy puddings......sometimes'. Health Education Journal, 66 (2) 188-205.
• Rodrigues, S.S.P.,Caraher, M., Trichopoulou, A. and, de Almeida, M.D.V. (2007) Portuguese Households' Diet-quality - adherence to Mediterranean food pattern and compliance with who population dietary goals. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 1263-1272; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602852; published online 1 August 2007
• Wrieden, W; Anderson, A.S; Longbottom, P.J.; Valentine, K; Stead, M; Caraher, M; Lang, T; Gray, B; Dowler, E. (2007) The impact of a community-based food skills intervention on cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices - an exploratory trial. Public Health Nutrition, 10: (2); 203-211.
• Caraher, M., Landon. J., and Dalmeny, K, (2006). TV advertising and children: Lessons from policy development. Public Health Nutrition, 9, (5), 596-605.
• Caraher, M., & Cowburn G. (2005). Taxing food: implications for public health nutrition. Public Health Nutrition, 8, (8), 1242-1249.
• Caraher, M. and Reynolds, J.  (2005). Lessons for home economics pedagogy and practice. Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia, 12, (2), 2-15.
• Caraher M, Coveney J (2004) Public health nutrition and food policy Public Health Nutrition: 7; (5), 591-598.
• Caraher M, Cowburn G (2004) A survey of food projects in the English NHS regions. Health Education Journal, 63; (3), 197-219.
• Caraher M. Baker H.; Burns M. (2004) Children's views of cooking and food preparation. British Food Journal, 1 April 2004, 106, (4), 255-273.
• Stead M.; Caraher M.; Wrieden W.; Longbottom P.; Valentine K.; Anderson A. (2004) Confident, fearful and hopeless cooks: Findings from the development of a food-skills initiative British Food Journal, 1 April 2004, 106; (40), 274-287.
• Dowler E, Caraher M. (2003) Local Food Projects: the New Philanthropy? Political Quarterly, 74; (1), 57-65.
• Lang, T. and Caraher, M. (2001). Is there a culinary skills transition?: data and debate from the UK about changes in cooking culture. Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia, 8; (2), 2-14.

Book chapters

• Caraher M  (2013) Food and health policy: in an age of austerity and globalization. In  Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics,  Editors: Paul B. Thompson and David M. Kaplan.
• Caraher, M. and  Machell, G. (2012) Defining food co-ops. In Sustainable Food Planning. Editors: Viljoen AM, Wiskerke JSC. 223-232. Wageningen Academic Pub 30 Apr 2012
• Machell, G. and Caraher, M. (2012) Traditional food markets: reassessing their role in food provision. In Sustainable Food Planning. Editors: Viljoen AM, Wiskerke JSC. 127-136. Wageningen Academic Pub 30 Apr 2012
• Bock BB, Caraher M. (2012) Sustainable Food Planning. In Integrating health, environment and society-introducing a new arena. Editors: Viljoen AM, Wiskerke JSC. 173-180. Wageningen Academic Pub 30 Apr 2012
• Lang T, Caraher M, Wu M (2010). 'Meat and Policy: Charting a Course through the Complexity' In: J d'Silva, J Webster eds The Meat Crisis:Developing More Sustainable Production and Consumption. London: Earthscan, Chapter 16
• Lang, T., Barling, D., Caraher, M. (2009) Food Policy: integrating health, environment and society. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Caraher, M. Cowburn G. and Coveney J (2007) Project Management. In Lawrence M and Worsley T, Public Health Nutrition: From principles  to practice. Allen and Unwin Sydney.
• Caraher M and Carr-Hill R (2007) Taxation and public health: 'Sin taxes' or structured approaches. In S Galea. Macrosocial Determinants of Population Health. Springer Science and Business Media Publishers; New York, 211-231.
• Caraher, M. Dowler, E. and Lincon P (2007) Inequalities in Food and nutrition; Challenging; Lifestyles. In Dowler, E. and Spencer, N. Challenging Health Inequalities: From Acheson to 'Choosing Health'. The Policy Press Bristol. 127-155.
• Dowler, E., Caraher, M. and Lincoln, P. (2007).Inequalities in Food and nutrition; Challenging; Lifestyles. In Dowler, E. and Spencer, N. Challenging Health Inequalities: From Acheson to 'Choosing Health'. The Policy Press; Bristol, 127-155.
• Drummond, C.E and Caraher, M. (2007). The Imperative for Consultation and Involvement in Child Nutrition Research: Adding Perspectives from Qualitative Research. In Child Nutrition Research Advances, ed LV Carter, Hauppauge NY; Nova Publishing.  pp 111-130. ISBN: 978-1-60021-849-1
• Caraher, M., & Landon, J. (2006) The Impact of Advertising on Food Choice: The Social Context of Advertising. In R. Shepherd, & M. Ratts (Eds.), The Psychology of Food Choice (pp. 227-245). Wallingford, Oxfordshire; CABI.
• Lang T and Caraher M (2006.) Global Public Health. In Pencheon D, Guest C, Melzer D and Muir Gray JA Oxford Handbook of Public Health Practice (pp 364-371).Oxford, Oxford University Press.
• Caraher M, Coveney J, Lang T. (2005) Food, Health and Globalisation: Is Health Promotion Still Relevant? In Scriven A; Garman S Promoting Health: Global Perspectives. London, Palgrave Macmillan, 90-105.
• Barling, D Lang T, and Caraher M (2002) Food, Social Policy and the Environment: Towards new Model.  In Cahill M, and Fitzpatrick T, (eds) Environmental Issues and Social Welfare. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.

Research reports

• Caraher. M., Lloyd, S and Crawley H (2009) Nutrition policy in the four administrative areas of the UK. CWT; London.
• Lloyd, S., Caraher, M. and Madelin T (2009) The School Foodshed: Fast food and schools. Centre for Food Policy, City University London.
• Madelin. T., Lloyd, S. and Caraher, M. (2009) Cheap as Chicken: Fast Food Outlets in Tower Hamlets. Centre for Food Policy, City University London.
• Seeley. A., Wu M and Caraher, M. (2009). ACA Chefs Adopt a School: An evaluation. Centre for Food Policy, City University London.
• Lloyd. S. and Caraher M. (2008) A tale of two cities; Food access in Preston. Centre for Food Policy, City University London.
• Madelin, T, Lloyd. S. and Caraher M. (2008) Cheap Chicken and Chips; Fast food outlets in Tower Hamlets. Centre for Food Policy, City University London.  
• Seeley. A., Wu M and Caraher, M. (2008). A moveable feast, Evidence for school based cooking interventions to improve children's food behaviours and diets. Centre for Food Policy, City University London.
• Bowyer. S., Caraher, M., Duane. T. and Carr-Hill, R. (2006) Shopping for Food: Accessing healthy affordable food in three areas of Hackney. Centre for Food Policy, City University London.
• Davis L and Caraher, M. (2006) Evaluation of the Islington Neighbourhood Renewal Fund Staying alive Project 2004-2006.Final report, June 2006. London: City University London.
• Davis L; Barry V and Caraher M,  (2006) Neighbourhood Renewal Fund 'Eatwell in Sandwell' 2004-6: Successes, challenges, learning outcomes and opportunities. Final Evaluation Report June 2006. Oxford; Ital Associates.
• Davis L, Caraher M and Measures M (2005) Growing a Healthy Food Economy: Linking Producers with Public Sector Purchasers. Hereford: Bulmer Foundation.
• Davis L and Caraher, M, (2004).Report on Dudley food projects: Local food markets and supply in selected Neighbourhood Management areas in Dudley. Dudley; Dudley Beacon & Castle Primary Care.
• Caraher, M. (2003) TV advertising and children: A policy analysis. Prepared for the Food Standards Agency.
• Hastings G, Stead M, McDermott L, Forsyth A, MacKintosh A, Rayner M, Godfrey, C, Caraher M, Angus K. (2003) Review of the research on the effects of food promotion to children.  Glasgow: Centre for Social Marketing.