Alana is based in the Department of Biology at the University of York. Her research focus is food production and its impact on human and planetary health. She works with the Hybrid Economies team running the innovative cutting edge technology urban indoor vertical farm, Grow It York, in the centre of York – located at the heart of the vibrant Spark container park.
Exploring the benefits of controlled environment agriculture, Alana carries out research into the vertical farm’s environmental and social impacts. She investigates how to best use vertical farms as business models that prioritise social and environmental benefits (not just profit) and how they can be encouraged in the food system. She also engages with communities, local businesses and schools, helping them to understand how to transform food systems in a more equitable, healthy and sustainable way.
Alana is also the Take a bite out of climate change consortium coordinator, where she produces educational resources to engage the public and guide policymakers about food choices to improve human and environmental health. Alana has previously been involved in a wide range of international research food systems related projects funded by N8 AgriFood Policy Hub, STFC Food Network+, STFC GCRF, UKRI GCRF and NERC and British Council.
Email: alana.kluczkovski@york.ac.uk