Scientist Dr. Rachel Mason joins us to break down her groundbreaking research on dismantling industrial animal agriculture through systems thinking. From her work with Animal Charity Evaluators to her current research using AI to track factory farms globally, Dr. Mason reveals how different forms of activism can work together for maximum impact in challenging factory farming.

This episode explores:

• How the mechanisms supporting factory farming extend beyond the farms themselves
• Why coordinated activism across different approaches creates more effective change
• The role of emerging technologies in tracking and challenging industrial agriculture
• How local initiatives like Denmark’s plant-based food plan demonstrate systems thinking in action
• Ways activists can contribute to systemic change from their individual positions

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Rachel Mason is a multidisciplinary scientist whose research bridges agriculture, data science, and sustainable food systems. After earning her PhD in Astronomy and working at leading observatories worldwide, she redirected her focus to address urgent environmental challenges on Earth. Through her MS in Plant & Soil Science, she specialized in sustainable agriculture and food system transformation. Dr. Mason’s groundbreaking research examines the environmental impact of animal agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and food system sustainability through innovative approaches including machine learning and remote sensing. As an independent researcher, she tackles complex intersectional issues in food justice, agricultural systems, and animal welfare, applying her unique scientific perspective to advance more ethical and sustainable food production methods.

RESOURCES 

• Factory Farm Pollution Can Be Seen From Space, Scientists Say
• The Friend on Bookshop.org
• A System-Focused Approach To Industrial Food Animal Production
• Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy website
• Seed the Commons website
• New Roots Institute website
• Rachel Mason on Linkedin

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview.

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