Leonie Joubert

Leonie Joubert is a South African science writer who uses different ways of storytelling to grapple with many of today's tough issues: climate and ecosystem collapse, energy policy, cities as development hubs, and why today’s food system leaves many of us hungry, heavy, and sick (the hunger-obesity poverty-paradox). More recently, her work delves into the realm of psychedelic medicine. She has spent the better part of 20 years exploring these topics through books, journalism, non-fiction creative writing, and podcasting. She was the 2007 Ruth First Fellow; was listed in the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans You Must Take to Lunch (2008); was twice given an honorary mention in the Sunday Times Alan Paton Nonfiction Awards (2007 and 2010); was named the 2009 SAB Environmental Journalist of the Year (print/internet category); and was shortlisted for the 2016 City Press Tafelberg Nonfiction Award. One of her areas of specialisation is on the city food system and why the city often leaves us hungry, heavy, and sick (the hunger-obesity poverty paradox). Leonie has written about this topic in books (the Hungry Season, Tomatoes & Taxi Ranks, amongst others).