Visiting Scholar Welcome: Oreoluwa Grace Fayemi

Hello everyone! My name is Oreoluwa Grace Fayemi, and I am very excited to be joining the FishPeoplePlace Lab at Dalhousie University.

I am originally from Nigeria and currently based in Accra, Ghana, where I am pursuing a PhD in Applied Agricultural Economics and Policy. Growing up and studying in West Africa, I have always been closely connected to food systems, not just as an area of study, but as a lived reality shaping livelihoods, nutrition, and everyday decisions for many households. These experiences sparked my interest in understanding how food systems function and how they can be improved to support both people and the environment.

My academic journey has focused on agricultural economics, with particular attention to aquaculture value chains, food security, and sustainable diets among smallholder farmers. Over time, I became increasingly interested in moving beyond production to examine how participation in different stages of the value chain, such as processing and market engagement, affects household livelihoods and food security outcomes. This led me to explore not only economic factors, but also the role of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and agency in shaping food and nutrition decisions.

My current research examines how participation in aquaculture value chains influences food security and dietary outcomes among smallholder fish farmers. I use survey-based data and quantitative methods to investigate these relationships, while also paying attention to the broader social and institutional contexts within which farmers operate. Ultimately, my work aims to contribute to policy-relevant discussions on improving food security and promoting more sustainable and inclusive food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I am particularly excited to join the FishPeoplePlace Lab because of its interdisciplinary approach to understanding human-environment relationships. I look forward to engaging with new perspectives, learning from others working at the intersection of social and ecological systems, and exploring how my work can connect with broader conversations around fisheries, food systems, and community livelihoods.

Outside of research, I enjoy engaging in conversations about development, policy, and real-world applications of academic work. I am very much looking forward to this new experience and to connecting with everyone in the lab.