Ep12: Sophia Murphy on "Getting the global rules right"

Episode summary

In our conversation with Sophia Murphy (Executive Director of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy [IATP]), we talk about the importance of trade at different scales throughout the food systems. Sophia discusses how ‘local’ systems have always been a part of extensive trading networks, how trade can meet the needs of diverse constituencies across the globe, and what needs to change in international governance for this to happen.

[ Transcript available ]

About Sophia Murphy

Sophia Murphy joined the IATP as executive director in October 2020. Sophia is a food systems and international economy expert with 30 years of professional experience, including as a board chair, program director, policy analyst and published writer. A policy expert and advocate who has focused on resilient food systems, agriculture and international trade, Sophia has worked primarily with civil society organizations, as well as with government, intergovernmental organization and universities.

Most recently, she served as research director and advisor on agriculture, trade and investment within the Economic Law and Policy Program at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). She served two consecutive terms as a member of the steering committee of the High-Level Panel of Experts to the United Nations Committee on World Food Security.

Sophia is a dual Canadian and British citizen, who has lived and worked in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Switzerland, Belgium and Australia. She has a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University and a MSc from the London School of Economics in Social Policy and Planning in Developing Countries. She is a PhD candidate at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia.