Nicole Paganini
Programme Lead - Urban Food Futures
Nicole's research focuses on rethinking the urban-food nexus for more inclusive and resilient urban futures. Her specific interests include the right to food, co-creation of knowledge with local communities, and feminist research approaches. Nicole obtained a PhD from Hohenheim University for her work on a food justice perspective in urban agriculture.
30 years of democracy: A reflection on transition without transformation ahead of South Africa's election
Pioneering systems change: grassroots action forges gender-just pathways to accountability
From scoping to action research: Implementation of five pathways for more resilient and inclusive urban food systems in Cape Town and Nairobi
Exploring pathways to urban food system transformation
Pathways to transform urban food systems
Food system transformation requires a compass: Ours is the progressive realization of the right to food in low-income urban settings
Kitchens, gender and unlearning feminism
Could “Urban Nutrition Hubs” offer a systemic response to entrenched hunger and inequality?
With pots and pens to parliament – Understanding and responding to crises through a critical feminist lens
Empowered women: Re-imagining food and community in Cape Town
Beyond Food Aid: A “Kitchen Retreat” reimagines community in the Cape Flats
Info Brief
A feminist perspective on urban food system transformation
This publication delves into the critical yet often unnoticed roles of women in addressing food insecurity and fortifying urban resilience.
Written by Nicole Paganini
Published on Mar 07, 2024
Article
Getting the story right and telling it well
This Chapter featured in "Writing Together" published by transcript Verlag, authored by Nicole Paganini & Sanelisiwe Nyaba (Mimi), explores the decolonization of research & academic writing through storytelling and collaborative writing.
Written by Sanelisiwe Nyaba, Nicole Paganini
Published on Sep 20, 2023
Article
The Megatrend Concept and Reflections on it
An opinion brief from the Urban Food Futures programme reflecting on the concept of megatrends as an approach to address the transformation of African urban and food systems
Written by Gareth Haysom, Nicole Paganini
Published on Sep 20, 2023
Article
Culinary Canvas: Exploring Intersectionality and Crises through Cape Town's Feminist Flavors
An opinion brief from the Urban Food Futures programme analysing the role of social capital in building resilience against polycrises from a gender perspective.
Written by Nicole Paganini, Zayaan Khan
Published on Sep 20, 2023
Report
Iindlela zokutshintsha imisebenzi yokuveliswa kuye ekutyiweni kokutya ezidolophini
Ndaphelelela ukufinyelela ingxaki yokutya ngokungathengi ngokulawulo ngokuzimele.
Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt
Published on Jul 19, 2023
Report
Verskillende we ë om stedelike voedselstelsels te transformeer
Geleidelik besef die reg op voedsel deur 'n versterkte informele sektor.
Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt
Published on Jul 19, 2023
Report
Voies à emprunter pour transformer les systèmes alimentaires urbains
Progressivement réaliser le droit à l'alimentation grâce à un secteur informel renforcé.
Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt
Published on Jul 19, 2023
Report
Njia za kubadilisha mifumo ya chakula mijini
Kutimiza kwa taratibu haki ya chakula kupitia sekta isiyo rasmi iliyoimarishwa.
Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt
Published on Jul 19, 2023
Report
Pathways to transform urban food systems
Progressively realizing the right to food through a strengthened informal sector
Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt
Published on Mar 23, 2023
Report
A Human Rights-Based Approach to Food Security in Kenya and South Africa
Exploring rights-based approaches to food security in low-income urban settings
Written by Elizabeth Kimani-Murage, Maureen Gitagia, David Osogo, Antonina Mutoro, Nicole Paganini
Published on Mar 01, 2023
Report
Cape Town’s Food and Nutrition Crisis: Crafting systemic responses to systemic challenges
Highlights of policy event held from 18-19 November 2022 in Cape Town.
Written by Luke Metelerkamp, Lena Bassermann, Nicole Paganini
Published on Feb 10, 2023
Working Paper
What's cooking? Adding critical feminist research to the pot
How community kitchens, school feeding programmes and informal savings schemes support communities in time of crises and food insecurity
Written by J. Battersby, K. Ben-Zeev, N. Buthelezi, I. Fabricci, M. Fakazi, S. Kiragu-Wissler, Y. Magazi, P. Njoroge, H. Nyaba, S. Nyaba, M. Nyambura, A. Owade, N. Paganini, C. Peters, W. Peukers, P. Silwana, E. Sango, J. Weru
Published on Oct 27, 2022
Info Brief
Urban Commons: Community kitchens, saving schemes, and school feeding programmes
Exploring the potential urban commons hold as spaces for social cohesion and nutrition justice
Written by Jane Battersby, Keren Ben-Zeev, Nomonde Buthelezi, Matilda Fazaki, Serah Kiragu-Wissler, Patrick Njoroge, Sanelisiwe Nayaba, Atula Owade, Nicole Paganini, Caroline Peters, Wendy Peuker, Pamela Silwana, Edouard Sango, Mary Wambui, Samuel Wairimu,Jane Weru
Published on Mar 17, 2022
Info Brief
Food Flows: Community kitchens and gardens in Gugulethu, Cape Town
Mapping existing community kitchens and gardens in the informal settlement Gugulethu in Cape Town
Written by Deon Lottering, Kathrin Krause, Nomonde Buthelezi, Busi Selena, Pamela Silwana, Nicole Paganini, Jane Battersby, Gareth Haysom
Published on Mar 17, 2022
Info Brief
Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Nairobi
Factsheet on farming in the Kenyan capital
Written by Nicole Paganini, Haidee Swanby, Samuel Wairimu, Edouard Sango
Published on Dec 02, 2021
Info Brief
Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Ouagadougou
Factsheet on farming in Burkina Faso's capital city
Written by Nicole Paganini, Haidee Swanby, Samuel Wairimu, Edouard Sango
Published on Dec 02, 2021
Info Brief
Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Cape Town
Factsheet on farming in South Africa's second city
Written by Nicole Paganini, Haidee Swanby, Samuel Wairimu, Edouard Sango
Published on Dec 02, 2021
Article
Dialing up Critical Feminist Research as Lockdown Dialed us Down: How a Pandemic Sparked Community Food Dialogs in Cape Town, South Africa
A co-authored paper reporting on household food security during the pandemic in four neighborhoods of the Cape Flats
Written by Nicole Paganini, Keren Ben-Zeev, Khutala Bokolo, Nomonde Buthelezi, Sanelisiwe Nyaba, Haidee Swanby
Published on Nov 15, 2021