Dr. Patrick Caron, born in 1962, is a veterinary doctor and holds a PhD in geography. He is a specialist of farming systems and territorial dynamics. His works relate to the analysis of the role of agriculture in rural transformations, particularly in Brazil, Southern Africa and the Near East.

He is the Chair of the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) (2015-2019).

He joined CIRAD (https://www.cirad.fr/) in 1988 and has been General Director for research and strategy from 2010 to 2016. From 2001 to 2004, he has been scientific director of the “Territories, Environment and People" department before being director of the department "Environments and Societies" from 2007 to 2010. He is currently International Director of Montpellier University of Excellence (MUSE).