Marilyn Sefa

Marilyn Asiedu Sefa is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Ghana. Her doctoral research investigates community perceptions of the social food environment and how these factors shape dietary behaviour in urban poor areas of Accra. Through an interdisciplinary lens, her work addresses critical issues of food systems, nutrition, and social transformation in rapidly changing urban contexts.

She is an Assistant Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI), where she contributes to policy research in food safety, agriculture, industry, and the environment. Marilyn has played key roles in projects funded by international partners including the European Union, BMZ/ZEF, the Canadian government, and the German government, focusing on resilience against climate change, agricultural modernization, and sustainable energy solutions. She has also served as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Ghana, supporting teaching and research in sociology.

Her professional experience spans research design, data collection, analysis, and policy advocacy. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and technical reports, and presented at international conferences such as the South African Sociological Association Conference, Tropentag 2025 in Germany, and the International Symposium on Food Environments in Malaysia. She has also participated in doctoral training programs in South Africa and Malaysia, strengthening her expertise in food systems research.

Marilyn holds professional certifications in Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development and International Training for Safer Food. Passionate about advancing knowledge societies in Africa, she co-initiated the KM4AgD Challenge and continues to mentor students and collaborate across disciplines to promote sustainable development and resilient food systems.