Gareth Haysom
African Centre for Cities Gareth Haysom is a researcher at the African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town. Has 15 years of experience in the private sector before returning to academia in 2004 where he has held various teaching and research positions at Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town. Gareth’s work focuses on urban food. This approach uses food as a lens to better understand urbanisation in cities of the global South with a specific interest in African cities, working in a variety of countries and across city types.
About this speaker
Gareth Haysom is a researcher at the African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town. Gareth obtained his PhD from the University of Cape Town and a MPhil from Stellenbosch University. Gareth spent 15 years working in the private sector, holding various leadership and board positions before returning to academia in 2004 where he has held various teaching and research positions at Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town. Gareth’s work focuses on urban food. This approach uses food as a lens to better understand urbanisation in cities of the global South with a specific interest in African cities, working in a variety of countries and across city types. The premise motivating this work is that Africa’s future will be an urban one and a narrow window exists in which to respond to the specific needs of the varied urban forms and typologies before the future is cast in concrete. Food, food system challenges and everyday food system related questions offer a unique perspective on how African cities are changing, how urbanites navigate the urban everyday, the flaws in existing food system policies, and how food intersects directly with poverty and inequality.
