Mofa has joined the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) in July 2020 after having worked as a Senior Lecturer in Global Food Security & Development at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) for over seven years (2013-2020). Prior to that Mofa held (during 2009-2013) various research positions at the Open University (UK) and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), following the completion of his PhD from Massey University (New Zealand) in 2008. Mofa also worked for over six years (1997-2003) as an Assistant Professor at Bangladesh Agricultural University after completing his BSc in Agriculture and MS in Agricultural Extension degrees from the same institution.

Mofa is an interdisciplinary behavioural/social scientist with interest in the broad areas of sustainable agriculture, food security, and environment. Systems thinking and approaches as well as theoretical and methodological pluralism often underpin his works. Mofa’s research has been published in renowned journals like: Land Use Policy, Food Security, Ecological Indicators, Journal of Rural Studies, Journal of Environmental Psychology, Applied Geography, and Journal of Flood Risk Management.

During his career Mofa has been involved in a range of international development projects funded by the FCDO, World Bank, JSPS, and industry. In addition to academic research and teaching Mofa has considerable experience in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of international development projects.

Mofa’s research has been published in renowned journals like: Global Environmental Change, World Development, Land Use Policy, Food Security, Ecological Indicators, Journal of Rural Studies, Journal of Environmental Psychology, Applied Geography, and Journal of Flood Risk Management.

• Beaudreault, A.R., Meinke, H., & Islam, M.M. (2024). From Emerging Theories to Messy Realities: Inclusive Innovation in Agriculture and Food Systems. Agricultural Systems (corrected proof in press). Available online 10 September 2024, 104121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104121
• De Pinto, A., Islam, M.M., & Katic, P. (2023). Food security under a changing climate: exploring the integration of resilience in research and practice. In C. Bene & S. Deveraux (Eds.) Resilience and Food Security in a Food Systems Context. London: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-23535-1_7.
• Islam, M.M. (2022). Distributive Justice in Global Climate Finance – Recipients’ Climate Vulnerability and the Allocation of Climate Funds. Global Environmental Change, 73 (102475), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102475
• Islam, M.M., Sarker, M.A., Al Mamun, M.A., Mamun-ur-Rashid, M., & Roy, D. (2021). Stepping Up versus Stepping Out: On the outcomes and drivers of two alternative climate change adaptation strategies of smallholders. World Development, 148(105671), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105671
• Nadaraja, D., Lu, C., & Islam, M.M. (2021). The Sustainability Assessment of Plantation Agriculture – A Systematic Review of Sustainability Indicators. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 26, 892-910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2020.12.042
• Islam, M. M. & Mamun, A.A. (2020). Beyond the risks to food availability – linking climatic hazard vulnerability with the food access of delta-dwelling households. Food Security, 12 (1), 37-58.
• Grace, I. & Islam, M.M. (2020). Youth Motivations to Study Agricultural Courses in Tertiary Institutions. Journal of Agricultural Education & Extension. DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2020.1773285.
• Swesi, R. M., El-Anis, I., & Islam, M. M. (2020). Food insecurity coping strategies in conflict-affected Libya. Development in Practice, 30 (3), 394-408.
• Wells, J., Labadz, J., Smith, A., & Islam, M. M. (2019). Barriers to the uptake and implementation of natural flood management: a social-ecological analysis. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 2019, e12561, 1-12.
• Mahon, N., Crute, I., Di Bonitto, M., Simmons, E., & Islam, M.M. (2018). Towards a broad-based and holistic framework of sustainable intensification indicators. Land Use Policy, 77, 576-597.
• Mahon, N., Crute, I., Simmons, E., & Islam, M.M. (2017). Sustainable intensification-"oxymoron" or "third-way"? A systematic review. Ecological Indicators, 74, 73-97.
• Mahon, N., McGuire, S., & Islam, M.M. (2016). Why bother with Bere? An investigation into the drivers behind the cultivation of a landrace barley. Journal of Rural Studies, 45, 54-65.
• Islam, M. M., Barnes, A. & Toma, L. (2013). An Investigation into Climate Change Scepticism among Farmers. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 34, 137-150.
• Barnes, A., Islam, M. M. & Toma, L. (2013). Heterogeneity in Climate Change Risk Perceptions Amongst Dairy Farmers: A Latent Class Clustering Analysis. Applied Geography, 41, 105-115.
• Islam M. M., Renwick A., Lamprinopoulou C., & Klerkx, L. (2013). Innovation in livestock genetic improvement. EuroChoices, 12 (1), 42-46.
• Renwick, A., Islam, M. M., & Thomson, S. (2012). Power in Global Agriculture: Economics, Politics, and Natural Resources. International Journal of Agricultural Management, 2(1), 31-48.
• Islam, M. M., Renwick, A., Lamprinopouloy, C., & Klerkx, L. (2012). Dynamics of Innovation in Livestock Genetics in Scotland: An Agricultural Innovation Systems Perspective. Proceedings of the 21^st International Scientific Conference in association with 131^st EAAE seminar (pp. 301-318). Prague: Czech University of Life Sciences.
• Lamprinopouloy, C., Renwick, A., Klerkx, L., Hermans, F., Islam, M. M., & Roep, D. (2012). A Systemic Policy Framework: The Cases of Scottish and Dutch Agrifood Innovation Systems – Preliminary Results. Proceedings of the 21^st International Scientific Conference in association with 131^st EAAE seminar (pp. 281-300). Prague: Czech University of Life Sciences.
• Islam, M.M, Gray, D., Reid, J. & Kemp, P. (2011). Developing Sustainable Farmer-Led Extension Groups: Lessons from a Bangladeshi Case Study. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 17 (5), 425-443.
• Islam, M.M., Gray, D., Reid, J., Kelly, T. & Kemp, P. (2011). Beyond Recurrent Costs: An Institutional Analysis of the Unsustainability of Donor-Supported Reforms in Agricultural Extension. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 18 (3), 5-18.
• Khan, S.A.K., Islam, M.N., Kabir, M.Y., & Islam, M.M. (2003). Problem confrontation by the onion growers in the South-West coastal areas of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education, 15(1&2), 89-93.
• Akhter, M.S., Islam, M.N., Islam, M.M., & Hossain, M.A. (2001). Participation of the Women Beneficiaries in the Population Education and Family Planning Activities of the RDRS. Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education, 13(1&2), 63-75.
• Kashem, M.A., & Islam, M. M. (2000). Comparative Analysis of Bangladeshi and Japanese Farmers’ Perception of the Benefits of Using Indigenous Farm Technologies. Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education, 11&12 (1&2), 23-31.
• Kashem, M.A., & Islam, M. M. (1999). Use of Indigenous Agricultural Technologies by the Rural Men and Women Farmers in Bangladesh. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 14 (2/3), 27-43.
• Islam, M.M., & Kashem, M.A. (1999). Farmers’ Use of Ethno-Veterinary Medicine (EVM) in the Rearing and Management of Livestock: An Empirical Study in Bangladesh. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 13 (4), 39-56.
• Islam, M.M., Kashem, M.A., & Anwar, A.B.M.N. (1999). Attitude of Farmers towards the Use of Agrochemicals. Bangladesh Journal of Training and Development, 10 (1&2), 23-31.
• Kashem, M.A., Anwar, A.B.M.N., Islam, M.M., & Hossain, M.A. (1999). Attitude of Farmers towards the Use of Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Agriculture. Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 26 (1), 105-109.
• Islam, M. M., Hamid, M.A., Hoque, M. M., & Hossain, M.A. (1999, June) Farmer Field School (FFS) Paradigm: Empowering Farmers for Sustainable Agricultural Development. In A. Halim, A. Hossain, A. Kashem, M. M. Islam, M. A. M. Miah, M. A. Hamid, et al. (Eds.). Proceedings of the Symposium on Agricultural Extension Services in the 21^st Century: Needs and Challenges (pp. 167-179). Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Agricultural Extension Society (BAES).

Mofa is the Co-Leader of the Climate Change Research Group at NRI. Further details can be found at: https://www.nri.org/research/centre-for-society-environment-development/climate-change/overview

Mofa’s key research interests fall within the following cross-cutting thematic areas.

• Food and nutrition security
• Climate change adaptation, vulnerability, and resilience
• Climate change, conflict and development
• Agri-food innovations
• Attitudes and behaviour in relation to agri-food and environmental issues
• Sustainable agricultural intensification
• Agricultural extension/communication

Mofa is a member of the Livelihoods and Institutions department within NRI. He works closely with a number of research groups within the institute.

• Programme Leader, MSc Global Sustainable Development.
• Module Leader, AGRI1337 (Transformative Change – Concepts, Theories, and Case Studies)
• Module Contributor, AGRI1335 (Agricultural and Natural Resources Innovation for Development)
• Module Contributor, AGRI1048 (Independent Research Project)

• 2021-present: Climate smart food innovation using plant and seaweed proteins from upcycled sources (IPSUS)
  
  • Funded by the SUSFOOD2 ERA-Net Cofund programme, the IPSUS project aims to exploit opportunities for extracting upcycled plant and seaweed proteins from raw materials otherwise destined to join the ~1.6 billion tonnes of annual global food loss and waste (FLW). Six protein-rich sources (pumpkin, hazelnut, grape, potato, brewers' spent grain, seaweeds) have been selected for study across partner countries (UK, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Morocco). As a Co-Investigator, Dr Islam is responsible for the “Market, Consumers and Policy” Work Package of IPSUS. Further details can be found at: https://ipsus.org/en/.
• March 2019 – 2020: Climate change adaptation strategies and wellbeing of farmers in risk-prone coastal areas of Bangladesh. Research project being implemented in collaboration with three Bangladeshi universities. Fieldwork in nine Bangladeshi coastal districts. Funded by a Nottingham Trent University (NTU) grant. Principal Investigator.
• October 2017 – 2020: Developing a Sustainability Assessment Toolkit for Abaca (Musa textilis) Plantation Agriculture. Action research aims to develop a sustainability assessment toolkit for Abaca plantation agriculture through bottom-up and participatory processes. Fieldwork is being conducted in Indonesia. Funded jointly by NTU and a multinational company. Principal Investigator.
• 2016-2019: Household resilience against food insecurity in areas of protracted conflicts – A Libyan study. Project funded by the Libyan Ministry of Education. Research Supervisor.
• 2015-18: Developing indicators of sustainable intensification for UK agriculture. Funded by NTU. Research Supervisor.
• March 2013-June 2014: Farm as Power Station. Research project aimed to gather evidence for influencing on-farm renewable energy policies in England. Collaboration involved NTU, Farmers Weekly, and Forum for the Future. Funded jointly by Ashden Trust and NTU. Researcher Adviser & Analyst.
• September 2011-March 2013: Enhancing SRUC’s Impacts on the Rural Sector: Applying the Agricultural Innovation Systems Perspective. Policy research project aimed to identify options for promoting innovation capacity in rural Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council. Researcher.
• July 2011-Jan 2012: Global Power in Agriculture: Resources, Economics and Politics. Policy-oriented research aimed to gather evidence as to who has the power in global agriculture in terms of economics, politics, and possession of natural resources. The research was funded by the Oxford Funding Conference (OFC). Co-Investigator & Researcher.
• December 2008-December 2009: English-in-Action. An educational development project aimed to promote ICT-based pedagogical innovation in Bangladeshi schools. Funded by the UK-DFID. Researcher.

Mofa has been involved with the supervision of a number of PhD students, with four successful completions to date.

• Md. Rafiqul Islam (start October 2024): Navigating Socio-Ecological Trade-Offs in Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) Conservation in Bangladesh. (Lead/Main Supervisor; student has won the prestigious UBLE doctoral scholarship).
• Jean Claude Dusabumuremyi (ongoing): Impact of Quinoa Production on Food and Nutrition Security among Smallholder Farmers in Rwanda (RCIF-PASET Lead/Main Supervisor at NRI)
• Rejoice Papka (ongoing): Climate Change, Peace, and Prosperity nexus in the Lake Chad Basin (Co-Supervisor)
• Fenet Belay (submitted, 2024): Smallholders’ Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Food Security in Ethiopia (RCIF-PASET student; Lead Supervisor at NRI)
• Dinish Nadaraja (completed, 2021): Developing a Sustainability Assessment Toolkit for Abaca (Musa textilis) Plantation Agriculture (Director of Studies or Main Supervisor at NTU)
• Rashd Swesi (completed in July 2020): Household Resilience against Food Insecurity in Areas of Protracted Conflicts – A Libyan Study (Director of Studies)
• Joshua Wells (completed in April 2020): Natural Flood Management: Assessing the Barriers to Wider Uptake and Implementation (Co-Supervisor)
• Niamh Elizabeth Mahon (completed in Feb 2019): The Development of Stakeholder-sensitive Indicators of Sustainable Intensification for UK Agriculture (Director of Studies)
• Oluseun Akinsorotan (completed in 2017): Status and Dynamics of Large Mammal Occupancy in a Nigerian National Park (Co-Supervisor)

In addition, Mofa has supervised over 20 MSc and MRes research projects to successful completion involving students from various African and Asian countries as well as the UK.

Mofa would welcome postgraduate students interested in research on behavioural/social dimensions of sustainable agriculture, food security, and environment.

• 2024 – present: Subject Matter Expert, Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC), CGIAR. Reviewer of one large multi-country proposal on food security and frontier food systems in developing countries.
• 2021 – 22: Subject Matter Expert, Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC), CGIAR. Reviewer of one large proposal on sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems in multiple developing countries.
• Research and related duties
• Teaching and related duties
• External engagement and consultancy

• Guest Editor (2023-2024), Agricultural Systems (Elsevier), special issue on inclusive innovation
• Academic Adviser (2021-present), Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), UK
• PhD Examiner (external), Wageningen University (Netherlands) and Massey University (NZ)
• External PhD Supervisor, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; and Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria
• Reviewer to many journals (e.g., Global Food Security, Nature Climate Change, Nature Sustainability, Climate Policy), and grant applications (e.g., UK ESRC and Newton Fund)
• Member, Development Studies Association (DSA), UK
• Life Member, Bangladesh Agricultural Extension Society (BAES)
• Invited speaker on various topics related to agriculture, food, and environment in China (April 2018), USA (October 2017), Canada (May 2014), and UK (March 2016 and April 2022)
• Scholar, NZAID doctoral scholarship, 2003-2007