Ronald Ranta

I am a senior lecturer in politics and international relations. I joined the department in 2014, having previously taught at Bath University, SOAS, Metropolitan University and UCL.

My research focuses on food, nationalism and the politics of identity through three broad areas of interest. The first examines the relationship between food, nationalism and globalisation. As a former chef, I am particularly interested in questions relating to the ownership of food and how, in response to globalisation, food is conceptualised and promoted as national. The second area, which grew out of my PhD research on the Arab-Israeli conflict, examines the relationship between Israeli and Palestinian food cultures and national identities. Finally, I am involved in a research project looking at the perceptions of identity and challenges of belonging among EU citizens in the UK.