Governing knowledge in agri-food systems
My research looks at how agri-food knowledge systems are governed through climate, digital, and institutional change. Using grounded, interpretive social science, I study how misinformation, AI, and advisory institutions shape whose knowledge counts, and how farmers and rural communities make fair, well-informed, climate-resilient decisions.
My early work looked at how advisory and natural-resource governance systems build or limit rural capacity. My postdoctoral work extended this into digital agri-food systems, showing how misinformation, online toxicity, AI, and fragmented institutions affect the quality and legitimacy of agricultural advice. My next research program treats agri-food knowledge governance and epistemic security as a foundation for climate action.
Interactive map of four research pillars orbiting a central agri-food knowledge governance hub. Select a pillar to read its focus.
My research program
Agri-food knowledge governance & epistemic security
Four connected pillars, one program: how agri-food knowledge systems are governed through climate, digital, and institutional change. Hover or tap a pillar to explore.
Research Questions
RQ 1: How do misinformation, online toxicity, and falling trust reshape how agricultural and climate knowledge moves through advisory networks and online communities?
RQ 2: How are AI and digital tools changing agricultural advice, and what does responsible, farmer-centred AI adoption require?
RQ 3: How can advisory institutions and capacity-building be governed so agri-food knowledge stays trustworthy, accessible, and fair, supporting climate action under uncertainty?
Recent Publications
Ten most recent peer-reviewed journal articles.
* Co-first author · † During postdoctoral fellowship · Full list of 45 articles in CV.
2026
Kabir, K. H.*† (2026). When the advisor is an algorithm: governing agri-food knowledge in the age of AI and misinformation. Agricultural Systems, 239, 104933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104933
Kabir, K. H.*† & Chowdhury, A. (2026). Discourses on the roots and resilience of climate misinformation: perspectives from the Canadian agri-food sector. Climate Policy, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2026.2713878
Kabir, K. H.*† Rahman, S., Hasan, M. M., Chowdhury, A., Schneider, U. A., Roberts, T. G., Darr, D., & Gow, G. (2026). When digital spaces turn hostile: online toxicity and its professional toll on agricultural extension workers in Bangladesh. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2026.2707093
Chowdhury, A.*, Khan, N. A., & Kabir, K. H.† (2026). Stakeholders’ perspectives on the effectiveness of agricultural advisory sources in Ontario: a Q-methodology approach. Ciência Rural, 56(7), e20240621. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20240621
Chowdhury, A., Kabir, K. H.*† & Zhoolideh, M. (2026). SWOT-AHP-TOWS analysis of decision support system adoption in the Ontario rainbow trout industry. Journal of Rural Studies, 123, 104040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2026.104040
Kabir, K. H.*† & Chowdhury, A. (2026). EAS for economic development — what is missing in Canada and how can CAREE help? Canadian Agri-food & Rural Advisory, Extension and Education Journal, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.21083/caree.v2i1.9210
Edet, U. I., Chowdhury, A.*, Khan, N. A., & Kabir, K. H.† (2026). Misinformation in agriculture: how actors shape agricultural information systems. Land, 15, 927. https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060927
Mobeen, M., Kabir, K. H.†, Schneider, U. A., Ahmed, T., Ahmad, N., & Scheffran, J. (2026). Essential livelihood capitals for effective climate adaptation in Pakistan’s irrigated agriculture: insights from PLS-SEM and NCA. Heliyon, 12(1), e44281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e44281
2025
Kabir, K. H.*† (2025). Sowing trust in the machine: ethical pathways for large language models in farmer-centered extension. AI & Society. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-025-02788-8
Kabir, K. H.*†, Ferdows, J., Rahman, S., Chowdhury, A., Sarker, M. A., Ullah, S. M. A., Uddin, M. N., & Hasan, M. M. (2025). Effectiveness of Facebook groups in enhancing the capacity of rooftop gardeners. Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems, e70023. https://doi.org/10.1002/uar2.70023
Publications under review
- Khondokar H. Kabir*† & Ataharul Chowdhury. (2026). Building epistemic competence in agri-food systems: a research agenda. Nature Food (Perspective, under editorial review).
- Khondokar H. Kabir*†, Ataharul Chowdhury, Ruth Nettle, Laurens Klerkx, & Andrea Knierim. (2026). Reinventing agricultural extension education in universities. Science (under editorial review).
- Khondokar H. Kabir*†, Saifur Rahman, Ataharul Chowdhury, & Uwe A. Schneider. (2026). What shapes desire differs from what enables action: a TAM–TPB analysis of generative AI adoption among agricultural extension professionals. Scientific Reports (Submitted).
- Khondokar H. Kabir*† & Ataharul Chowdhury. (2026). Discourses on the roots and resilience of climate misinformation: Perspectives from the Canadian agri-food sector. Climate Policy (Minor revision).
- Ataharul Chowdhury, Khondokar H. Kabir†, & Niaz Ahmed Khan. (2025). Effectiveness of pluralistic agricultural extension sources in Ontario, Canada: A Q-methodology approach. Ciência Rural (Accepted).
Networking Events
Discover my conferences and networking opportunities to connect with professionals in the agriculture and food industry.