No images? Click here
Newsletter: September 2025
Welcome to the September edition of the Exeter Food Research Network newsletter
Have you recently published food-related work, completed a project, or received a grant? Are you planning an event or know of relevant opportunities or resources?
Please email us at Exeter Food or follow us on LinkedIn and tag us in your posts for resharing!
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS| OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
Gardening, Community and Wellbeing: Online Exhibition
Explore an inspiring online exhibition showcasing creative projects by students of the MA Food Studies module “Gardening, Community, and Wellbeing” (2024–25). The module combines hands-on horticultural practice in the University’s Community Garden with academic seminars and expert presentations, highlighting the role of gardens in food production, biodiversity, and wellbeing. Working alongside community members, students learn skills from composting to orchard care, while reflecting on themes of health and commensality. Their final creative projects—ranging from calligraphy to weaving—offer unique responses to gardening, culture, and wellbeing.
Curated by Dr Paul Cleave, Module Convenor, you can view the exhibition here https://www.artsandcultureexeter.co.uk/online-exhibitions/gardening-community-and-wellbeing
Sequestering Carbon Without Cutting Food Output: The Promise of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
A new study in Ecological Economics highlights how recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) can offset carbon leakage caused by UK afforestation targets. While creating 30,000 hectares of woodland annually could reduce domestic food output and raise overseas emissions, RAS offers a solution by boosting local, low-impact seafood production—especially warmwater prawns.
RAS was found viable on 1.6% of GB farmland and could replace 28% of current prawn imports. When powered by anaerobic digesters and supported with low-interest financing, RAS becomes even more impactful.
Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108692
Pioneering Simulator Transforms Plant Climate Research
A new facility at the University of Exeter is enabling scientists to simulate wind, rain, and humidity to study climate impacts on plants. The £1.5 million Global Meteorological Simulator (GMS), one of the world’s most advanced of its kind, features four chambers mimicking diverse weather conditions. It will help researchers understand how environmental factors affect crop diseases, pests, pollinators, and plant development—crucial for global food security. Funded by BBRSC’s ALERT infrastructure funding scheme and the University, GMS is also open to the global research community, offering a powerful tool to combat the agricultural challenges of climate change. For more information contact the project lead Professor Ivana Gudelj.
Soil Health for Agriculture Workshop
In June, the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) hosted a two-day Soil Health for Agriculture workshop on the Cornwall campus. The event brought together farmers, advisors, supply chain workers, and researchers from Exeter and Falmouth universities. Discussions spanned biodiversity and crop yield, the socio-economic implications of regenerative farming, and ensuring a just transition. Key themes included microbe-plant-soil interactions, links between soil health and food security, and differing perspectives between farmers and academics. The workshop highlighted the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to support sustainable agricultural futures. For more information, or to continue the conversations please contact: esidirector@exeter.ac.uk
When Farmers and Scientists Collaborate, Nature Thrives
The Burren Life programme in Ireland shows how farming and biodiversity can thrive together. Farmers and researchers from the University of Exeter’s interdisciplinary RENEW project co-design environmental plans, set shared targets, and tailor practices to specific landscapes. Unlike UK schemes that often overlook farmer knowledge, Burren Life uses it—leading to habitat restoration and long-term behaviour change. With 70% of UK land used for farming, involving farmers is essential. The Burren model shows that conservation farming works—ecologically, economically, and culturally. Read the full article on the Conversation Website.
Exploring Women’s History Through Food: WESWWHN 32nd Annual Conference
Join the West of England & South Wales Women’s History Network for its 32nd Annual Conference: Historical Perspectives on Women and Food, on Saturday 11 October 2025, at the University of Exeter- please note venue change to the Peter Chalk Building, Newman Red and Purple Lecture Theatres, the Streatham Campus.
In partnership with the Exeter Food Network, this full-day event features keynote speaker Polly Russell (British Library), expert panels exploring women’s roles in food production, cookery books, colonialism, and activism, plus a special session with the University’s Hypatia Collection. Engage with vibrant discussions on how food intersects with gender, power, and history. Registration opens at 9.15am. For full programme and details, visit weswwomenshistorynetwork.co.uk.
Cultivating Common Ground for the Future of Food
On Friday 3rd October 17:00–22:00, join the Bioregional Learning Centre at The Barn, South Milton (Kingsbridge TQ7 3JX) for an evening of food, connection, and conversation. Over a shared meal featuring South Devon produce, we’ll hear regional voices—from farmers and fishers to educators, policymakers, and community innovators—exploring how to build a food system that supports both people and planet. This gathering is for anyone invested in the changing landscape of food and climate resilience. More information and registration is available from the Bioregional Learning Centre website.
Webinar: Traditional & Indigenous Food Systems on the Asian Silk Road
Register now for an international webinar series on Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems in Inner Asia and the Caucasus, convened by the former Task Force on Indigenous and Traditional Food Systems and Nutrition (IUNS) and the Culinaria Research Center, University of Toronto.
The sessions on 3rd and 10th October will explore the health, cultural, and environmental importance of food traditions across the Silk Road—spanning Central Asia, the Caucasus, and neighbouring regions. Participants will receive updates, links, and announcements after registering. Register here to take part.
Webinar: Curriculum to Climate: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Food and Sustainability
Join the Bloomsbury Food Library on Thursday 9th October at 16:00 for an engaging discussion moderated by Dr Helen Traill (University of Glasgow), exploring how interdisciplinary approaches can shape sustainable futures. Three leading scholars will share insights:
- Dr Rebecca Sandover (University of Exeter) on place-based action for just food systems
- Dr Megan Blake (University of Sheffield) on food ladders and community resilience
- Professor Molly Anderson (Middlebury College) on the power of transdisciplinary perspectives.
The session will conclude with a Q&A. Find more information and register via Zoom.
FUTURES Festival 2025: Connecting Research with Community
FUTURES Festival returns this October to celebrate cutting-edge research across the South West. Hosted at Exeter Phoenix EX4 3LS, the main event is on Sunday 12th October, with workshops and walkie-talkies on Saturday 11th. The free event invites everyone to explore interactive stalls, workshops, and walking tours led by University of Exeter researchers. Designed to connect academia with the public, FUTURES welcomes contributions from researchers at all career stages. Can’t attend in person? Volunteers can present your display. From science demos to storytelling, there’s space for every discipline. Join us in making research accessible, engaging, and fun for all ages. Interested in taking part? Contact per@exeter.ac.uk or sign up via the Expression of Interest Form.
Culinary Mind Online Events Series 2025–2026
The Culinary Mind Center for the Philosophy of Food, based at the University of Milan, is launching the first part of its Online Events Series (2025–2026). Founded in 2017, Culinary Mind brings together researchers, academics, and thinkers to explore the philosophical dimensions of food—its cultural, ethical, and social significance. This series will feature talks and discussions with international scholars, providing a unique platform for interdisciplinary dialogue.
- Food and Microbiome- Jane Dryden, Christopher Meyes, Lisa Heldke 15th October 10am (Milan time)
- Food Media- Keri Matwick, Jacqui Kong, Michelle Phillipov 4th November 9am (Milan time)
For more information, please contact andrea.borghini@unimi.it or visit culinarymind.org.
Shillingford Organics Squash Harvest Day
Celebrate the season at Shillingford Organics’ Squash Harvest Day on Sunday 19th October, 11:00–15:00 at the Events Barn. Tickets are £5 per person (under 10s go free), enjoy a family-friendly day packed with autumn activities. Pick your own squash straight from the fields, hop on a tractor-trailer ride, and warm up by the campfire with a bowl of homemade squash soup. A perfect way to connect with the land, learn about local produce, and take home your own harvest. Book tickets here: trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/91148
Join the QUEX Sustainable Food Systems Solutions Workshops
From November 2025 to April 2026, researchers from The University of Queensland and University of Exeter can join the QUEX Sustainable Food Systems Solutions Workshops to design innovative research addressing global food system challenges. Participants will form cross-university teams, engage with guest speakers, and develop solution-focused projects, with a $1,000 AUD seed funding prize for the winning idea. The three-part online series will explore sustainable, equitable, and safe food systems to support the SDGs. Early career researchers are encouraged to participate.
Workshop dates: 1) 5th Nov 2025 8-10am, Team formation + idea prioritisation 2) 11th Feb 2026 8-10am Guest speaker + solution showcase, 3) 15th Apr 2026 9-11am Team presentations + prize awarded
Registration is open now via this form or contact quex.sfsw@hmns.uq.edu.au for more information.
Save the Date for the Agriculture, Food & Human Values Society 2026 Conference
AFHVS is an international community of scholars, practitioners, and students exploring the ethical, social, and ecological dimensions of food and agriculture. With roots in philosophy, sociology, and anthropology, AFHVS now spans disciplines from nutrition policy to environmental science. Members engage through annual conferences, networking, and the journal Agriculture and Human Values.
To sign up for membership visit the AFHVS website www.afhvs.org and save the date for their 2026 ASFS/AFHVS Conference 7th–10th June
2026 at the University of Vermont
Exeter Food is keen to support members in the development of research proposals. If you have an idea that you would like to explore in a “sandpit” with colleagues and potential partners, or a draft proposal on which you would like feedback from colleagues, please contact the network lead, Harry G West.
Help Shape a New Horticulture Short Course
The University of Exeter’s Botanic Garden Team, in partnership with the Centre for Rural Policy Research, is developing a new practical horticulture short course on the Streatham Campus. Designed for enthusiastic gardeners, aspiring professionals, or anyone with links to horticulture, the course will combine hands-on training with the science and theory behind modern horticulture.
To ensure the programme is relevant and impactful, you are invited to share your views by completing a short survey: https://forms.office.com/e/NvYj39t48c.
The survey closes on Friday 26th September. Please share with others who may be interested and contact Jess Evans with any questions j.c.evans@exeter.ac.uk
Call for Articles: Translational Food Sciences
A new open access journal, Translational Food Sciences, published by the Institute of Food Science and Technology, is seeking contributions from researchers. Edited by Niall Young (IFF), the journal publishes applied, near-to-market science that advances agri-food systems, technologies, and processes while considering wider societal impacts. In addition to traditional research articles, Translational Food Sciences welcomes Viewpoint Pieces (4,000–4,500 words, 15–25 references) offering informed perspectives on food-related challenges.
Explore published articles and submission details here: academic.oup.com/tfs.
For inquiries or to discuss publishing opportunities, contact Niall.Young@iff.com
Introducing Polly Meyrick – Artist and Community Storyteller
Polly Meyrick is an artist whose work is research-led and community-engaged. She recently completed the Personal to the Planetary fellowship at Bristol University, exploring systems thinking, positive tipping points, and using art as a tool for journalism and social change. Polly creates mass portraiture projects, ‘humanises data,’ and celebrates diverse lived experiences. Her practice spans food and energy systems, including a recent project with Regen, We Are All People of Power, which is touring community centres in Devon.
She is interested in collaborating with University departments on creative projects, such as the Creative Fellow hosts (deadline 21st September) or Engaged & Participatory Research Fund (deadline 10th October), linking positive tipping points with community engagement. To view Polly’s portfolio or discuss any ideas for potential collaboration please contact her polly.meyrick@gmail.com
Focus Group: Lived Experiences of Novel Food Technologies
Researchers from the University of Kent invite participants from the food and drink retail sector to join a focus group as part of the project Futuring Biological Commons: Promoting Response-ability among Stakeholders of Synthetic Plants. The session will explore how stakeholders experience and anticipate scientific and technological innovations—such as synthetic plants—and their role in shaping sustainable futures.
The Focus group is taking place on Wednesday 1st October at 14:00 at The Wesley, Camden Town, London. Participants will be paid for their involvement and have the chance to contribute to global discussions on the ethical and social implications of emerging technologies.
Register via this online form or contact Dr Oliver Pritchard Moore for more information o.pritchard-moore@kent.ac.uk.
Seeking Researchers to Connect with Farming Communities
The Devon Research Engagement Network, running until March 2026, is working to improve diversity in research participation. In this phase, they are focusing on farming and associated communities, particularly around mental health. A dedicated engagement worker and support through the VCSE community will help connect these groups with open studies and initiatives such as Be Part of Research. Collaborations are welcomed with local and national research studies—interventional or observational—linked to mental health, farming, dementia, or cardiovascular disease.
If interested, please contact Sophie Luders sophie.luders@healthinnovationsouthwest.com by 22nd September.
Enter Capturing Ecology 2025 – Call for Entries!
The British Ecological Society’s Capturing Ecology photography competition is back! Showcasing global stories of ecological beauty, struggle, and survival, they invite photographers to submit their most striking images of the natural world. Entries are open until Tuesday 30th September 2025.
With more categories than ever — from animals and plants, behaviour, mobile ecology and ecologists in action— this year’s contest offers a top prize of £750 and 12 months free BES membership. To learn more and submit your image visit the BES website
Join St Sidwell’s Community Centre as Chair of Trustees
St Sidwell’s Community Centre in Exeter is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to provide inclusive leadership and help guide the charity in delivering its mission of strengthening the local neighbourhood, promoting inclusion, and tackling health inequalities. The role involves chairing board meetings, supporting the Centre Manager, and acting as an ambassador for the organisation. This voluntary position typically requires up to five days a month.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday 30th September. For full details, please see the Chair Recruitment Pack or contact Celia Plender (celia@stsidwells.org.uk) or Iona Collins (iona@stsidwells.org.uk).
Engaged & Participatory Research Fund 2025–26
Applications are now open for the Engaged and Participatory Research Fund (EPR), supporting projects that bring together University of Exeter staff and external partners through collaborative, participatory approaches. With a total fund of £70,000, applicants can apply for £1,000–£10,000 to develop projects that deliver mutual benefit for all partners involved.
The scheme is open to academic and professional staff at all levels, as well as postgraduate students (with a staff co-applicant). Applications must be co-created with an external partner.
The deadline is Friday 10th October at 10am. For more information and an application form visit https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/publicengagement/funding/.
Policy Impact Training for Exeter Academics
Policy@Exeter has commissioned the Institute for Government (IfG) to deliver Policy Impact training for University of Exeter academics. Participants will learn how government works, routes to policy engagement, and effective communication with policymakers. Options include a one-day online workshop (six places) on 19th November, 09:30–16:00, or a two-day in-person bespoke workshop (20 places) on 11–12th November, 11:00–16:00, Streatham Campus, with extended practice. Apply via the form; anyone is welcome to apply but priority will given to projects involving policy impact, with online places prioritised for those outside Exeter or with accessibility needs. Questions- email policyengagement@exeter.ac.uk.
Explore PIVOT-RP: get personalised alerts for research funding opportunities
Research funding opportunities can be found on Pivot-RP. As part of ongoing work to develop university-wide support two curated Pivot-RP searches have been set up for fellowship applicants and active fellows that can be readily accessed and tailored to individual's needs. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the RIME Sharepoint site.
As part of adopting Pivot-RP the implementation team want to understand how colleagues are using the database and usefulness of it for their research work. Please do take a few minutes to complete their Pivot-RP user survey on the RIME Sharepoint by Wednesday 1st October.
Explore Hundreds of Opportunities with Funding Finder
Funding opportunities can also be found using the Funding Finder platform developed by the University of Exeter’s Andy Cunliffe, which signposts hundreds of funding opportunities for research, fieldwork, conferences, and exchanges, relevant to individuals at all levels from undergraduates to senior academics. With searchable listings of awards from £100 to £10 million, it's designed to support global collaboration and research engagement. Please use it and share it with your networks. Over 4,000 users from 92 countries have used the tool and more awards are being added frequently.
Thank You for Joining the Exeter Food Mezze Seminar – Recording Available
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the third Exeter Food Mezze Seminar. We enjoyed a lively and engaging session exploring topics from wheat yield modelling and Roman food fraud to zero-waste food systems and genomic approaches to food security. Special thanks to our speakers: Lirong You, Claire Holleran, Jenny Tunley-Price, and Alex Hayward for their thought-provoking presentations.
If you missed it—or would like to revisit the talks—you can access the full recording and the resources shared from the Exeter Food Members Area.
Discover the Exeter Innovation Ideas Hub
The Exeter Innovation Ideas Hub is a dedicated SharePoint site designed to support academics at any career stage with Knowledge Exchange (KE) and Business Engagement (BE). Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen existing partnerships, the Hub offers guidance on applying your research beyond academia and working effectively with businesses, government bodies, charities, and NGOs.
Explore the Business Engagement Toolkit and access a wide range of Training, events and resources to support your KE journey. Visit the Ideas Hub to find out more and start building impactful external collaborations. Or Gemma Mendham is our Exeter Food EI
contact and is happy to answer questions.
New Guidance on Research Dissemination Available on RIME
Practical resources are now available on RIME to support effective research dissemination. The guidance offers tutorials, tips, and tools to help you plan strategies that ensure your work reaches the right audiences. Content includes a pre-publication checklist, advice on using academic networks, social media, and engagement events, plus guidance on creating impactful materials such as infographics. It also highlights approaches for engaging policymakers, industry, and other stakeholders.
Effective dissemination boosts research visibility, strengthens academic profiles, supports funding bids, and builds collaborations.
Access the resource here: Research Dissemination on RIME.
Digesting Journeys: Exploring the Gut Through the Senses
As part of Glasgow Science Festival’s 2025 Science on the Sofa strand, Digesting Journeys is an online sensory exploration of our physical, emotional, and linguistic relationships with the gut. Featuring Bee Farrell’s Zine About TOUCH, Kirsty Hendry’s short film Human Nature, and a rich reading list spanning microbiome science, disability studies, and food culture, the project invites you to consider: what happens when we take the outside world in? Engage at your own pace and discover how texture, taste, and thought intertwine in the everyday act of eating.
A Citizen Mandate for Change: What the UK Really Wants from Food
Following two years of national dialogue, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission’s (FFCC) Food Conversation reveals five citizen-driven priorities for transforming the UK food system: strong, joined-up food leadership; equitable access to nourishing food; high public food standards and less waste; fairer deals for farmers; and support for local food networks.
This work challenges long-held policy assumptions that the public wants cheap food and limited regulation. Citizens across the UK are calling for bold government action, systemic change and shared responsibility—showing a clear mandate for a fairer, healthier, more sustainable food future. The full report is available from the FFCC website.
Showcase Network Support: Tag Exeter Food in WorkTribe
Tagging Exeter Food in your projects on WorkTribe highlights the value of the Network, supports its growth and capacity to provide more support to members. If Exeter Food has contributed to your project, you or your team as members can tag it to showcase that support. Examples include receiving seed funding, discovering funding opportunities via network communications, forming collaborations through the network, or using the network for engagement activities. Recognising network contributions not only strengthens your project but also enhances the visibility and impact of the networks themselves. Tagging Networks is very simple to do and enables us to track the bids and projects which may arise directly or indirectly as a result of network membership. Very brief guidance is available here. Thank you.
Exeter Food is coordinated by Professor Harry West
Please email us to submit items for future newsletters. To find out more about our work, please get in touch with us.
