Meet the Scientist - Dr Ziping Wu

This month Dr Ziping Wu talks about his role in AFBI.

I am a Principal Agricultural Economist in the Agricultural & Food Economics Branch based at AFBI Headquarters in Newforge Lane, Belfast.  I manage the Systems Modelling Section. This section involves working on developing policy analytical tools to link agricultural sectors with the wider economy and environment, between rural and urban areas. The tools have been used in supporting some key Northern Ireland policy developments including Going for Growth: Agri-Food Strategy, Climate Change legislation and the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme.

I obtained my PhD from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) in 1995. Since then I have worked in Leicester University and moved back to Belfast.  I first worked at QUB on the Northern Ireland FAPRI project in 1997 then joined the teaching team of the Agricultural and Food Economics Department as a Lecturer in 2000.  I transferred to AFBI in 2006.

I have been involved in developing AFBI/DAERA (formerly DARD) China links as the key contact for links with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences.  I also give advice to DAERA and AFBI staff for Chinese business and visits.

I have also been involved in developing EU-China research Collaborations on Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology (FAB) as a member of the EC delegation to China (2013), adviser to EC on food safety in China (2015), evaluator (2016) and independent expert (2017).

I provide policy analysis and recommendations to local and EC governments.

Interesting facts about Dr Ziping Wu:

Can you cook? If so, what is your speciality dish?
I can cook and like Chinese and Asian food more than local food. In China people often say living is for eating. This is always a problem for visitors from countries like China when they first come to the UK and Ireland. A key difference between here and China is vegetable varieties. You will find many more varieties of vegetables available in China than we have in NI.

What is the last book you read?
Introduction to Microbiology. The main reason for this is that I am working on a research application in this topic and keep asking my son for the questions in this area. He found a book in this title online and asked me to read it. It is a passive way of reading.

What is your favourite book?
I like history in both China and the world. In the social sciences, history told us more than any theory can tell. I often wonder why human beings (including myself) keep making the same mistakes again and again. I have not found an answer.

What is your favourite TV/radio show?
News / BBC Radio 4

What is your favourite Film?
James Bond movies

What sport do/did you play?
Badminton, probably the one I played longest in Queen’s PEC. I played with many players there, old and young. What I have learned there is that you will need to play with good players if you want to improve your own skills. This is probably true in all areas including research.

Who is your favourite superhero/cartoon character?
I have not found one

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DAERA and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland …  serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office

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