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.

 

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AI and Global Food Security: A Focus on Early Warning Systems

AI promises to improve food security early warning systems, which help inform decisionmakers and prevent hunger before it arises. CSIS experts unpack the risks and benefits of AI-enabled tools for food security early warning systems around the world.

Critical Questions by Emma Curtis, Zane Swanson, and Caitlin Welsh — January 20, 2026

Audio Briefs

AI & Global Food Security: A Focus on Precision Agriculture

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

Podcast Episode by Emma Curtis, Zane Swanson, and Caitlin Welsh — August 13, 2025

Audio Briefs

AI & Global Food Security: A Focus on Precision Agriculture

As the world needs to produce more food with fewer resources, AI-enabled precision agriculture offers a more sustainable future for food production. CSIS experts unpack the risks and promises of AI for farmers and the world. 

Critical Questions by Emma Curtis, Zane Swanson, and Caitlin Welsh — August 13, 2025

Blueprint for an Agricultural Recovery Plan for Ukraine

No formal plan for Ukraine’s agricultural recovery exists today. CSIS presents a blueprint for an agricultural recovery plan that positions Ukraine’s agriculture sector for an economically competitive future, with benefits for Ukraine’s economy and global food security. 

Report by Antonina Broyaka, Vitalii Dankevych, Emma Curtis, and Caitlin Welsh — June 4, 2025

Does Ukraine Need a New Black Sea Grain Initiative?

Nascent agreements over safety of navigation on the Black Sea indicate Russia’s desire to restart the Black Sea Grain Initiative, but Ukraine has already secured—and increased—its agricultural exports without Russia’s cooperation. 

Analysis by Emma Curtis, Joseph Glauber, and Caitlin Welsh — March 28, 2025

Ukraine's Decreased Grain Production Creates Opportunities for Russia

Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s agriculture sector precipitated a substantial decrease in Ukraine’s harvested land area. While the sector is adapting, reduced farming and export capacity in Ukraine has realigned global agricultural trade in Russia’s favor.

Analysis by Caitlin Welsh and Emma Curtis — February 11, 2025