A systems science perspective and transdisciplinary models for food and nutrition security

We argue that food and nutrition security is driven by complex underlying systems and that both research and policy in this area would benefit from a systems approach. We present a framework for such an approach, examine key underlying systems, and identify transdisciplinary modeling tools that may prove especially useful.

Ross A. Hammond and Laurette Dubéb Center on Social Dynamics and Policy, The Brookings Institution, Washington, DC 20036; and McGill World Platform for Health and Economic Convergence, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1G5

Edited by Prabhu Pingali, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, and approved March 30, 2012 (received for review June 10, 2011)