UC Davis

This dissertation examines the intersection of equity, gender, and social differentiation in agricultural innovation systems. The first chapter, through a comprehensive literature review, highlights the unique gender considerations when scaling agricultural innovations and calls for tools and methodologies that address these issues. The second chapter introduces "GenderUp", a new method designed to make scaling initiatives more inclusive, anticipatory, and responsive to socially differentiated effects. Evaluation of GenderUp suggests more socially responsible scaling strategies. The final chapter critically analyzes commonly used Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) frameworks for their overlooking of social heterogeneity and upstream power dynamics. It proposes a set of Equity Principles for Transformative Innovation to guide socially-inclusive innovation and scaling. Collectively, this dissertation underscores the need for integrating equity considerations into agricultural innovation systems, offering both practical tools and theoretical frameworks to promote sustainable development.