Yougyeong Na, MA Food and Development, class of 2024-25, reflects on her professional journey as a Programme Policy Officer at the World Food Programme (WFP) in Tanzania, her experience studying at IDS and how it shaped her approach to food systems and development.
Finding my path into food systems
Before joining IDS, I spent several years working with Good Neighbours, an international NGO founded in Korea. My work took me from a field office in Tanzania to the country office in Korea and later the global headquarters, where I worked on programme planning, budgeting, and organisational management.
My interest in food systems began during my time in Shinyanga, Tanzania. I often saw caregivers preparing sorghum porridge (uji) for children, and when I asked why, they explained that sorghum grows well locally and is resilient to climate change. That simple exchange helped me realise how deeply food connects to livelihoods, survival, climate, and social systems. It stayed with me and shaped the direction of my future studies.
Choosing IDS and the MA Food and Development course
Once I knew I wanted to work at the intersection of food and development, I started researching master’s programmes across the UK. I created an Excel sheet comparing modules and course structures, and when I found the MA Food and Development course at IDS, I remember feeling genuinely excited because it was the perfect fit for me!
It was one of the only programmes that directly linked food security with development, and the joint hosting by IDS and the University of Sussex made it feel even more dynamic, as it allows students to benefit from both institutions. I also had colleagues who had studied at IDS or Sussex previously, and they had guided me throughout and assured me that IDS was the perfect place to study this subject.
Learnings and challenges in the journey
Two modules shaped my thinking most: Nutrition and Food Politics and Development. The Nutrition module, which was an optional module, gave me practical knowledge I now use daily, while Food Politics and Development challenged me to examine food systems critically. One moment that still stands out is the African Farmer Game we played during the class, which was co-developed by Dr John Thompson, a Research Fellow at IDS, and the University of Sussex’s School of Engineering and Informatics, reflecting the realities of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. It was only a game, but for many people, it reflects real vulnerability.
My dissertation focused on discourse analysis of how major Korean food companies describe their ESG and CSR work, quite different from my current role, but intentionally so. I wanted to use my time at IDS to explore the private sector’s role in development, and the module Fair Trade, Ethical Business and New Moral Economies guided that direction. I was supervised by Dr Dinah Rajak, whose support and encouragement meant a great deal.
In terms of challenges, I honestly felt I was stepping into an unknown territory with both my dissertation and my current job. English is my second language, and reading academic texts took time. I often stayed in the study space until closing time and kept studying. Sometimes feeling behind from everyone else and sometimes crying quietly out of frustration. Later, a sudden knee injury meant months of hospital visits, crutches, and painkillers while finishing my dissertation and applying for jobs. It was a challenging period, but it taught me resilience and reminded me how supportive the IDS community is. Homemade food, long walks around Stanmer Park and Brighton beach, and friends who shared both laughter and deadlines got me through.
Finding strength in community and the sea
Life at IDS was motivating in every way. Surrounded by classmates from all over the world, I was inspired daily, not just by what we learned, but by each other’s dedication. Even when I didn’t have class, I spent the day at IDS, often staying until the study space closed at 9 p.m., encouraged by the quiet determination of the students studying around me. Despite our small cohort, friendships came easily, not only among people from the same class, but also during induction, while helping someone find a lost item, or chatting in the corridor.
IDS brought us together, and I’ll always treasure the memories we made (folks- I miss you all so much!). Brighton felt like home. I’ve always loved the sea, and when things were hard, I’d sit on the pebbles and watch the waves. It gave me strength. Even now in Dar es Salaam, the ocean with shining waves brings back memories of Brighton- calm, grounding, and full of light.
Moving into global policy work
Shortly after submitting my dissertation, I began a new role as a Programme Policy Officer at WFP Tanzania CO through the UN Volunteer Specialist programme funded by the Korean government. My work focuses on nutrition and school-based programmes, supporting both field delivery and national policy development.
Recently, I participated in the National School Feeding Technical Working Group workshop, where ministries and partners discussed strengthening school feeding policy across the country. WFP Tanzania also runs programmes supporting refugees, smallholder farmers, climate resilience, and food supply chains. Part of my role is ensuring strong connections between these programmes and nutrition outcomes. Much of how I think now comes from IDS: asking who is included, who is excluded, and what power structures shape access to food. Those questions guide how I review policies and programme designs.
Looking forward
One of the decisions I am most proud of is leaving a permanent employment job in Korea to study abroad. It felt uncertain, but receiving my offer letter along with the Chancellor’s International Scholarship and a KOICA scholarship felt like confirmation that I was meant to take this step.
I don’t measure my future in job titles or institutions. Instead, I hope to continue learning, applying what I’ve been given, and working in a way that serves people who are overlooked or marginalised. My goal is simple: to become someone who puts intellect to work for humanity.
Yougyeong Na studied MA Food and Development, class of 2024-25. For more information about this degree, please click below:
