Sarah-Louise Ruder, Ph.D.

I am an interdisciplinary social scientist with a range of research projects on novel technologies and food systems. Across each domain, I explore questions about sustainability, justice, power, and governance.

Research Areas

Artificial intelligence

I study the uses and impacts of artificial intelligence and automation across the food system, from algorithmic or surveillance pricing in grocery (Ruder 2026) to uses for genomics and plant breeding (Ruder et al., forthcoming).

Data governance

My community-engaged research explores ethical data governance and data justice in agriculture (Open access, multi-lingual toolkit with BC ACARN). I also investigate trust in data sharing (Duncan, Ruder, et al. 2026), data justice (Ruder and Wittman 2025), and “the illusion of data ownership” (Ruder 2025).

Digital agriculture

What is the role of digital technologies and precision agriculture in sustainable food system transitions? I address this question with surveys, interviews, theory, and a systematic review (e.g., Ruder et al. 2026; Ruder et al. 2025; Clapp and Ruder 2020).

Cellular agriculture and agri-genomics

I use both quantitative and qualitative methods to study the perceptions and politics of cellular agriculture and agri-genomics (e.g., Bowness, Ruder et al. 2026; Ruder et al. 2023; Ruder and Kandlikar 2023)