Emma Curtis

Research Associate, Global Food and Water Security Program
Emma Dodd

Emma Curtis (formerly Emma Dodd) is a research associate with the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In this role, she covers agricultural development in conflict and post-conflict settings, principally the Russia-Ukraine war. She also supports research on agricultural trade and technological innovations for food and water security. Ms. Curtis holds a BA in international relations, with minors in political economy; environmental and sustainability studies; and science, technology, environment, and public policy, from Michigan State University. She is a 2025–2026 U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation scholarship awardee and a Communications Fellow with NASA Lifelines. Emma holds a graduate certificate in geospatial intelligence from the University of Maryland and is currently pursuing an MS in geospatial intelligence.

 

Programs & Projects

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The Next Food Revolution: AI to Fight World Hunger

As pressures on global food systems grow, AI could transform how the world anticipates crises, develops improved crops, and produces food. CSIS experts explore how AI can help build a more food-secure world, and what is needed to fulfill its promise and mitigate its risks.

Digital Feature by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, Joely Virzi, and Caitlin Welsh — September 17, 2026

Using AI to Fight World Hunger: Averting Crises

What if we could see future hunger sooner? AI-assisted food security early warning systems help experts analyze more data more quickly to anticipate threats sooner, and they equip decisionmakers with the insights to help mitigate harm and save lives.

Digital Feature by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, Joely Virzi, and Caitlin Welsh — September 17, 2026

Using AI to Fight World Hunger: Crop Optimization

What if we could design crops to overcome environmental and biological threats, while producing more food? AI is helping researchers speed up timelines for crop research, and uncovering new possibilities to strengthen crops against future threats.

Digital Feature by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, Joely Virzi, and Caitlin Welsh — September 17, 2026

Using AI to Fight World Hunger: Guided Agriculture

What if farmers could access tailored guidance on demand, and use tools that read and respond to on-farm needs more accurately? AI is helping to deliver vital information to farmers who need it most, and powering equipment that helps close input and labor gaps.

Digital Feature by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, Joely Virzi, and Caitlin Welsh — September 17, 2026

How Do the Latest Black Sea Attacks Affect Global Food Security?

For the first time since 2022, attacks on agricultural infrastructure and cargo vessels are limiting grain exports from Russia and Ukraine at the same time. CSIS experts examine the latest attacks, their food-security impacts, and how the Iran war is worsening the crisis.

Critical Questions by Caitlin Welsh, Emma Curtis, and Joseph Glauber — September 11, 2026

AI and Global Food Security: A Focus on Food Systems

As food systems face increasingly severe and complex shocks, AI-enabled innovations are proliferating across food production, logistics, markets, and humanitarian response. CSIS experts unpack the challenges and opportunities of AI for global food systems.

Commentary by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, and Caitlin Welsh — August 21, 2026

Audio Briefs

Can the United States Enable Post-Conflict Stability?

An audio version of “⁠Can the United States Enable Post-Conflict Stability?⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Andrew Friedman, Enoh T. Ebong, Brad Brooks-Rubin, J. Stephen Morrison, Leonard Rubenstein, Will Todman, Juliana Rubio, Emma Curtis, Caitlin Welsh, Michaela Simoneau, and Sophia Hirshfield. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by CSIS Scholars — April 10, 2026

Audio Briefs

AI and Global Food Security: A Focus on Crop Breeding

AI promises to transform modern crop breeding, helping develop more resilient, nutritious, and higher-yielding crops with unprecedented pace—though barriers remain. CSIS experts unpack the benefits and risks of AI-enabled innovations for crop breeding around the world.

Critical Questions by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, and Caitlin Welsh — March 26, 2026

Audio Briefs

AI and Global Food Security: A Focus on Crop Breeding

An audio version of “⁠AI and Global Food Security: A Focus on Crop Breeding⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, and Caitlin Welsh. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, and Caitlin Welsh — March 26, 2026

Audio Briefs