Professor Bob Doherty
Interim Director of Research, University of York Mumbai
Professor Bob Doherty is a leading researcher in food system sustainability and social innovation. He was the inaugural Dean of the School for Business and Society at the University of York and is now seconded to the University of York Mumbai as Interim Director of Research.
Biography
Professor Doherty is Principal Investigator of FixOurFood (2021–2026), a £6.2 million UKRI-funded research programme, and previously led the £3.4 million UKRI-funded IKnowFood programme (2017–2020). He has twice been seconded to the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as a policy fellow, working on food systems policy development.
Before entering academia in 2003, he spent 13 years in the agrifood sector, including five years at Divine Chocolate Ltd (1998–2003). He holds a PhD, an MBA, a PGCE and a BSc (Hons).
Research
Professor Doherty's research explores how food systems can become more sustainable, resilient and fair, and how social enterprises and hybrid business models create social and environmental value.
- Food system sustainability and resilience.
- Social innovation and social enterprise.
- Fair trade and inclusive value chains.
- Marketing ethics and sustainability.
He publishes in leading management journals and in interdisciplinary journals including Nature Food, The Lancet Planetary Health, the BMJ and the Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions B. According to Elsevier, he ranks in the top 2% of global scholars by citations.
Teaching
Professor Doherty teaches marketing ethics, sustainability and food systems.
Professional Activities
- Founding Editor Emeritus, Social Enterprise Journal (Emerald), after 10 years as its first editor
- Policy fellow, UK Government DEFRA (2019–2022 and 2024–2026)
- Advises businesses in the food and drink sector on food systems resilience strategies
- Member, Chartered Association of Business Schools