Dr. Kirsten Boysen-Urban

Head of the Department of International Agricultural Trade and Food Security (490b)

Office address:
Wollgrasweg 43
Room 229
D-70599 Stuttgart

T | +49 (0) 711 459 23392
E | kirsten.urban@uni-hohenheim.de

Office hours: Secretary´s Office

 

Postal address:
University of Hohenheim
International Agricultural Trade and Food Security (490b)
D-70593 Stuttgart

 

Hohenheim HisInOne Homepage

Dr. Kirsten Boysen-Urban has been Interim Professor and Head of the Department of International Agricultural Trade and Food Security at the University of Hohenheim since 2022.

Kirsten Boysen-Urban is an agricultural economist who studies the links between international trade and global food and nutrition security, as well as the impact of different policies to support food system transformation on sustainable development. Her research develops and applies computable general equilibrium modelling techniques to analyse the economic effects of international trade and domestic support policies, and the impact of different pathways for future agricultural and food commodity supply and demand on global food and nutrition security. Specific research interests include the economic impact of regional trade agreements; the impact of agricultural policy reforms, including decoupled payments, risk management and safety net instruments; and policies to tackle obesity, undernutrition and improve diet quality and their impact on sustainability.

From January 2020 to January 2022, she worked in the Sustainable Resources Directorate at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in Seville, Spain. Previously, she worked at the Department of International Agricultural Trade and Food Security at the University of Hohenheim as a research associate (2009-2017) and as interim head (2017-2019). Before joining the University of Hohenheim in 2009, she was a researcher at the Institute for Market Analysis and Agricultural Trade Policy, Thünen Institute in Braunschweig. Kirsten Boysen-Urban holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Hohenheim (2015), an M.Sc. in Agricultural Science with specialization in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kiel (2007) and an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness from the University of Kiel and Wageningen University (2008).

Publications

Peer-reviewed Publications

Peer-reviewed Publications

 

Z. Smeets Křístková, H.D. Cui, B. Rokicki, R. M'Barek, H. van Meijl, K. Boysen-Urban (2025) European green bonds, carbon tax and crowding-out: The economic, social and environmental impacts of the EU's green investments under different financing scenarios, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (211), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.115330.

Sartori,M., Ferrari,E., M'Barek,R., Philippidis,G., Boysen-Urban,K., Borrelli,P., Montanarella,L., Panagos, P., (2024) Remaining Loyal to Our Soil: A Prospective Integrated Assessment of Soil Erosion on Global Food Security, Ecological Economics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.108103.

Philippidis, G., M'barek, R., Boysen-Urban, K. and W.J. van Zeist, (2023) Exploring economy-wide sustainable conditions for EU bio-chemical activities, Ecological Economics, 210, 2023, 107857, doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107857.

Boysen, O., K. Boysen-Urban and A. Matthews (2022) Stabilising European Union Farm Incomes in the Era of Climate Change. In: Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy 1– 25. doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13298

Berndt, M., Boysen-Urban, K., Ehjeij, S., Espey, A., Feuerbacher, A., Flaig, D., Heimann, T., Hess, S., Kempen, M., Schünemann, F., and Wieck, C. (2022): Implications of Russia’s War in Ukraine for the Global Agri-Food Sector – An Ex-Ante Assessment using Different Simulation Models. In: German Journal of Agricultural Economics, 3, pp. 134-149. doi:
10.30430/gjae.2022.0310

Boulanger, P. Boysen-Urban, K. and G. Philippidis (2021): European Union Agricultural Support ‘Coupling’ in Simulation Modelling: Measuring the Sustainability Impacts. In: Sustainability, 13, 3264. doi.org/10.3390/su13063264

Boysen-Urban, K., Brockmeier, M., Jensen, H.G. and O. Boysen (2020): Measuring the Trade Restrictiveness of Domestic Support using the EU Common Agricultural Policy as an Example. In: Journal of Agricultural Economics 71(2). doi.org/10.1111/1477-9552.12337

Boysen, O., Boysen-Urban, K., Bradford, H. and J. Balie (2019): Taxing Highly Processed Foods: What could be the impacts on Obesity and Underweight in Sub-Saharan Africa? In: World Development 119, 55-67. doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.03.006 

Yang, F., Urban, K., Brockmeier, M., Bekkers, E. and J. Francois (2017): Impact of Increasing Agricultural Domestic Support on Food Price Transmission. In: China Agricultural Economic Review, 9, 535-567. doi.org/10.1108/CAER-01-2016-0001

Urban, K., Jensen, H.G. and M. Brockmeier (2016): How Decoupled is the Single Farm Payment and Does it Matter for International Trade? In: Food Policy, 59, 126-138. doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2016.01.003

Urban, K., Jensen, H.G. and M. Brockmeier (2014): Extending the GTAP Model and Database to cover Domestic Support Issues using the EU as Example. (GTAP Technical Paper Series No. 35). Purdue University, West Lafayette, Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/resources/res_display.asp.

Book chapters

Book chapters

Korovin, V., Zernov, A., Boysen-Urban, K., Brockmeier, M. and O. Boysen (2020): The impact of global development pathways on food security and diet quality: Results of a global economic model. In Biesalski H.K. (ed): Hidden Hunger and the Transformation of Food Systems. How to Combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition? World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics. Basel, Karger, 2020, 121, 127–137. doi.org/10.1159/000507523

Boysen-Urban, K., Boysen, O. and C. Schiesari (2018): Markets of Biobased Resources and Products. In: Lewandowski, I., Bioeconomy: Shaping the Transition to a Sustainable, Biobased Economy. Edition 2018, Springer Nature. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-68152-8

Policy reports

Policy reports

De Jong, B., Boysen-Urban, K., De Laurentiis, V., Philippidis, G., Bartelings, H., Mancini, L., Biganzoli, F., Sanye Mengual, E., Sala, S., Lasarte Lopez, J., Rokicki, B. and R. M`barek. (2023). Assessing the economic, social and environmental impacts of food waste reduction targets - A model-based analysis, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/77251, JRC133971.

De Laurentiis, V., Mancini, L., Casonato, C., Boysen-Urban, K., De Jong, B., M`barek, R., Sanye Mengual, E. and S. Sala (2023). Setting the scene for an EU initiative on food waste reduction targets - Outcomes of consultation activities and analysis of efforts on food waste reduction, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/13859, JRC133967.

Avitabile V, Baldoni E, Baruth B, Bausano G, Boysen-Urban K, Caldeira C, Camia A, Cazzaniga N, Ceccherini G, De Laurentiis V, Doerner H, Giuntoli J, Gras M, Guillen Garcia J, Gurria P, Hassegawa M, Jasinevičius G, Jonsson R, Konrad C, Kupschus S, La Notte A, M'barek R, Mannini A, Migliavacca M, Mubareka S, Patani S, C Pilli R, Rebours C, Ronchetti G, Ronzon T, Rougieux P, Sala S, Sánchez López J, Sanye Mengual E, Sinkko T, Sturm V, Van Leeuwen M, Vasilakopoulos P, Verkerk PJ, Virtanen J, Winker H, Zulian G. Biomass production, supply, uses and flows in the European Union. Integrated assessment. Mubareka S, Migliavacca M, Sánchez López J (Editors). Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/484748, JRC132358.

Boysen-Urban, K., M’barek, R., Philippidis, G., and H. Ferer Pérez (2022). Exploring changing food attitudes to respect planetary boundaries: a global, model-based analysis, JRC Technical Report Nr. Publications Office of the European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/744504

Spekreijse, J., Vikla, K., Vis, M., Boysen-Urban, K., Philippidis, G. and R. M`barek (2021) Bio-based value chains for chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals, EUR 30653 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2021, ISBN 978-92-76-32459-1, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/712499, JRC124141.

Ferrari, E., Chatzopoulos, T., Perez Dominguez, I., Boulanger P., Boysen-Urban K., Himics, M., and R. M’barek (2021): Cumulative economic impact of trade agreements on EU agriculture – 2021 update, EUR 30496 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2021, ISBN 978-92-76-27157-4, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/501873, JRC123037.

Boulanger, P., Philippidis, G. and Urban, K. (2017): Assessing potential coupling factors of European decoupled payments with the Modular Agricultural GeNeral Equilibrium Tool (MAGNET); EUR 28253 EN; Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2017, ISBN 978-92-79-64016-2, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2788/027447

Other Publications

Other Publications

 

Boysen-Urban, K. und O. Boysen (2024) Welchen Beitrag können die „Farm to Fork“-Strategie und die neu ausgerichtete Gemeinsame Agrarpolitik zur Abfederung multipler Schocks leisten? In: Schriftenreihe der Rentenbank - Mehr Resilienz und Wandel – Strategien für Agrarwirtschaft und Politik, 40, 171-202.

Boysen-Urban, K., Ehjeij, S. and D. Flaig (2023). Agrifood prices and international trade flows, Rural21 2/23, https://www.rural21.com/english/a-closer-look-at/detail/article/agrifood-prices-and-international-trade-flows.html

Boysen, O., Boysen-Urban, K. and A. Matthews (2021): Alternative EU CAP Tools for Stabilising Farm Incomes in the Era of Climate Change, Working Papers 202103, Geary Institute, University College Dublin. https://ideas.repec.org/p/ucd/wpaper/202103.html

Flaig, D. and K. Boysen-Urban (2020): Subsidies in global value chains or where does the money go? In: Schriften der Gesellschaft für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften des Landbaues e.V., Bd. 55, 2020, S. 73 –90. http://xn--90-31t.https//www.researchgate.net/publication/350975174_Subsidies_in_global_value_chains_or_where_does_the_money_go

Boysen, O., Boysen-Urban, K., Bradford, H. and J. Balie (2020): Could higher junk food taxes reduce obesity. Social Science Journal for Teens. sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/could-higher-junk-food-taxes-reduce-obesity/

Boysen, O., Boysen-Urban, K., Bradford, H. and J. Balie (2018): Taxing highly processed foods: Impacts on obesity and underweight in Sub-Saharan Africa. Geary WP2018/12. Geary Institute, University College, Dublin, Ireland. Available at: www.ucd.ie/geary/static/publications/workingpapers/gearywp201812.pdf

Boysen-Urban, K., Boysen, O., Matthews, A., Brockmeier, M. Baricco, J. and M. Zinnbauer (2018): Alternativen zur Einkommensstabilisierung - Sicherheitsnetze in der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik nach 2020. In: Agra Europe 34, 1-16.

Boysen-Urban, K., Boysen, O., Matthews, A., Brockmeier, M. Baricco, J. and M. Zinnbauer (2018): Alternativen zur Einkommensstabilisierung - Sicherheitsnetze in der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik nach 2020. In: Schriftenreihe der Rentenbank, 34, 101-142.

Brockmeier, M., Urban, K., Engelbert, T. and J. Francois (2016): Auswirkungen von TTIP auf die deutsche Agrar- und Ernährungswirtschaft. In: Agra Europe 25, 1-15.

Brockmeier, M., Urban, K., Engelbert, T. and J. Francois (2016): Auswirkungen der Transatlantischen Handels- und Investitionspartnerschaft zwischen der EU und USA auf die deutsche Agrar- und Ernährungswirtschaft. In: Schriftenreihe der Rentenbank, 32, 7-44.

Urban, K. (2016): Domestic Support Payments and Trade Distortions: The Neglected Issue in Global General Equilibrium Modeling. Dissertation, University of Hohenheim, http://opus.uni-hohenheim.de/volltexte/2016/1206/

Brockmeier, M., Urban, K. and F. Yang (2013): Einfluß ökonomischer und politischer Faktoren auf den Handel in einer globalisierten Welt. In: Schriften der Gesellschaft für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften des Landbaus e.V., 48, 321-333.

Brockmeier, M., Urban, K. and F. Yang (2012): Handel in einer globalisierten Welt: Exportchancen für die deutsche Veredlungsindustrie? In: Schriftenreihe der Rentenbank, 28, 7-50.

Brockmeier, M., Urban, K. and F. Yang (2012): Nahrungsmittelmärkte und Ernährungs-sicherheit. In: Welttrends – Zeitschrift für internationale Politik, 84, 56-63.

Jensen, H.G., Urban, K. and M. Brockmeier (2011): Das Labyrinth der Inländischen Stützung: Eine GTAP-Analyse der WTO-Verhandlungen. In: Schriften der Gesellschaft für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften des Landbaus e.V., 46, 457-459.

Current Research Projects

Strengthening Evidence-Based Policy and Practice for Sustainable Food Systems Under the EU-AU Partnership (StEPPFoS)

Strengthening Evidence-Based Policy and Practice for Sustainable Food Systems Under the EU-AU Partnership (StEPPFoS)

Short description:

The project “Strengthening Evidence-Based Policy Practice for Sustainable Food Systems under the EU-AU Partnership” (StEPPFoS) supported by the African Union Commission and the European Commission aims to promote policy coherence and alignment across the Pan-African Network for economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP) and for Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) to help minimise the fragmentation of agri-food policy initiatives at national and regional levels. The goal is to promote science-based decision-making processes and the exchange of experiences in support of agricultural, food and trade policies and the integrative sustainable transformation of agrifood systems in Africa.

The project is funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe funding programme for the period 2024-2027 and is coordinated by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

The International Agricultural Trade and Food Security group (490b) of the University of Hohenheim participates in the StEPPFoS project together with seventeen other research institutes and organisations in Europe and Africa. The group leads/co-leads three work packages and several activities such as assessing barriers and facilitators of policy-research interaction, providing capacity building in computable general equilibrium modelling and analysis, supporting policy impact assessments and developing scenarios for agrifood system transformation in Africa.

https://steppfos.faraafrica.org/

Person involved: Dr. Kirsten Boysen-Urban, Dr. Dorothee Flaig, Dr. Christine Bosch, M.Sc. Emmanuel Namwanja

Partner: Coordinator: Forum For Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), CSIR, CORAF, EDCPM, FANRPAN, RUFORUM, Agrinatura, KIPPRA, Wageningen University and Research, AFAAS, EAFF, Universita Ca' Foscari in Venice, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, LifeWatch ERIC, EAFF, ASARECA, ACU, EC JRC

 

Funding:  European Commission, Horizon Europe

Duration: 2024-2027

Location: Africa

Sino-German International Research Training Group - Adaptation of maize-based food-feed-energy systems to limited phosphate resources (AMAIZE-P)

Sino-German International Research Training Group - Adaptation of maize-based food-feed-energy systems to limited phosphate resources (AMAIZE-P)

Grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG; “German Research Foundation”) funding a research subject within the Chinese-German International Research Training Group (GRK 2366)"Adaptation of maize-based food-feed-energy systems to limited phosphate resources“ for one doctoral student positions to study the Economic assessment of future phosphorus availability: Impacts on agricultural and food markets at farm, national and global levels, October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

"The research aims to explicitly depict phosphorus in a global economic model to simulate potential phosphorus scarcity and its impact on agricultural and food markets. This model will be used to examine the role of international trade on local phosphorus availability and thus food security. It will also simulate scenarios based on research from the other research subjects to assess how they can help mitigate a phosphorus shortage and thus contribute to food security."

Further information can be found at this link

Involved Persons
Involved institutions
  • Universität Hohenheim, Fachgebiet Internationaler Agrarhandel und Welternährungswirtschaft (490b)
  • China Agricultural University
Sponsors
  •  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) – 328017493/GRK 2366

Completed Research Projects

Welchen Beitrag können die „Farm to Fork“ – Strategie und die neu ausgerichtete gemeinsame Agrarpolitik zur Abfederung multipler Schocks leisten?

Welchen Beitrag können die „Farm to Fork“ – Strategie und die neu ausgerichtete gemeinsame Agrarpolitik zur Abfederung multipler Schocks leisten?

Projektbeginn: April 2023

Projektende: Januar 2024

Studie zur Ausschreibung 2023 der Edmund Rehwinkel-Stiftung der Rentenbank „Mehr Resilienz und Wandel – Strategien für Agrarwissenschaften und Politik“

Edmund Rehwinkel-Stiftung

Involved Persons

  • Dr. Kirsten Boysen-Urban (UHOH)

  • Dr. Ole Boysen (School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin)

     

Alternativen zur Einkommensstabilisierung – Sicherheitsnetze in der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik nach 2020

Alternativen zur Einkommensstabilisierung – Sicherheitsnetze in der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik nach 2020

Projektbeginn: April 2017
Projektende:  Januar 2018

Studie zur Ausschreibung 2017 der Edmund Rehwinkel-Stiftung der Rentenbank „Innovative Agrarpolitik nach 2020“

Antragsteller