Dr  Paul Behrens is a renowned sustainability scientist and British Academy Global Professor at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, where he leads research on the intersection of climate, energy, and food systems 

 Formerly an Associate Professor at Leiden University, Behrens is the author of The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Futures from the Frontiers of Climate Science (2021), a book that explores dual perspectives of hope and pessimism across energy, food, climate, and economics.

A specialist in integrated modelling of food-system transitions, his work addresses both environmental and social impacts, from subsidy reforms to enhancing food security 

As editor of Food and Sustainability (OUP, 2020) and author of high-impact papers in Nature Sustainability, PNAS, and more, his findings inform policymakers and media globally. In 2023, his team was awarded “International Champion” at the Frontiers Planet Prize for their work on the climate benefits of dietary shifts. Behrens is also a sought-after communicator, presenting at Food Thinkers, TEDx, BBC, and other platforms, advocating for a “Great Food Transformation” to support both environmental resilience and justice.

In summary, Dr Behrens combines rigorous science, systemic modelling, popular writing, and public engagement to guide and inspire transformative action at the nexus of food, energy, and climate.