Newsletter: November 2025

Welcome to the November 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!

Send us your news!

Contents:

NEWS | EVENTS| OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES

NEWS

Symposium News: Call for Papers on ‘Poverty Foods’

The Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery is taking place from 10th – 12th July 2026 at St Catherine’s College, Oxford and online. Proposals are invited (deadline 31^st December 2025) for the 2026 theme, Poverty Foods. Contributors are encouraged to explore the historical, cultural, social, or economic dimensions of foods associated with poverty, from subsistence and foraged diets to industrially produced staples. Proposals may come from any discipline, and no formal qualifications are required. The Editorial Committee seeks diverse perspectives and especially welcomes work examining lived experiences of poverty and their influence on dietary practices.

Proposals (max 1,000 words) are due 31^st December 2025 via the online portal. More information is available here https://www.oxfordsymposium.org.uk/next-symposium/give-a-paper/

New Publication: Quantitative Environmental Risk Assessment for Microplastics in Sewage Sludge

Congratulations to Exeter’s Professor Tamara Galloway and colleagues on their new paper, “A Quantitative Environmental Risk Assessment for Microplastics in Sewage Sludge Applied to Land.” Published in Environmental Science and Technology, this study provides a comprehensive risk assessment, revealing that current sludge application practices fail to protect 95% of soil biota. Professor Galloway notes that the findings highlight the urgent need for regulatory limits on microplastics in sewage sludge to safeguard soil ecosystems.

Read the full paper here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c08026

Caroline Bennett Named in The Independent’s Climate 100 List 2025

We are proud to celebrate with Caroline Bennett, an engaged associate member of the Exeter Food Network, who has been named in The Independent’s Climate 100 List 2025. After struggling to source sustainable fish for her London restaurant, Moshi Moshi, Caroline founded Sole of Discretion in 2016, connecting small-scale, low-impact fisheries with consumers and restaurants. Each fish is traceable, supporting ocean-friendly practices. This year, she is collaborating with Scottish charity Open Seas on the #DivedNotDredged Campaign, highlighting the benefits of hand-dived scallops over destructive dredging. Caroline’s work embodies innovation and long-term commitment to climate and ocean stewardship. Read the full Independent’s Climate 100 List 2025.

New Publication in The Conversation: Exploring Rural Devon Cuisine

A new article by Dr Paul Cleave (University of Exeter), published in The Conversation uncovers the rich culinary heritage of rural Devon. Drawing on personal experience and research into food and tourism, Cleave highlights traditional dishes such as Devonshire dumplings, teddy cakes, and the famous cream tea, tracing how these seasonal, sustaining foods shaped community life before modern kitchen technology. The piece also reflects on historic cooking practices, from open-hearth preparation to the labour-intensive three-day process of making clotted cream. The full article is available from https://theconversation.com/ website.

Congratulations to Sharpham Dairy – South West Regional Winner, Great British Food Awards 2025

We are thrilled to celebrate Sharpham Dairy, long-standing partners of the Exeter Food Network, crowned South West Regional Winner at the Great British Food Awards 2025. The judges praised Sharpham’s excellence in artisan cheesemaking, their sustainability and B Corp certification, and their ability to blend tradition with innovation, producing cheeses that reflect Devon’s rich terroir.

Up against strong competition, this award recognises Sharpham’s ongoing commitment to quality, innovation, and community engagement. They regularly collaborate with our Industry Forum and at network events, and we are delighted to share in their well-deserved success, flying the flag for Devon and the South West!

Innovate UK launches AgriScale pilot to boost UK agri-tech manufacturing

Innovate UK has announced AgriScale, a new pilot programme unveiled by Defra Minister Dame Angela Eagle at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit. AgriScale will help UK agri-tech businesses scale up product manufacturing, bridging the critical gap between innovation and market delivery.

Through the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, five UK companies — S&A Produce, UPP, Dogtooth Technologies, OxDrive, and Earth Rover — will receive expert support from the Manufacturing Technology Centre and Warwick Manufacturing Group.

This initiative strengthens UK manufacturing, accelerates commercialisation, and supports a greener, more productive agricultural future. Read more https://www.ukri.org/news/driving-agri-tech-manufacturing-forward-in-the-uk/

If Pollinators Designed Gardens, What Would We See?

Residents of Constantine are helping answer this question by planting a network of living artworks to track the biodiversity benefits of Pollinator Pathmaker, an award-winning artwork designed for pollinators’ tastes. Using an algorithmic planting tool, the project reimagines gardens from the perspective of bees, butterflies and other vital species. Led by the University of Exeter’s Dr Christopher Kaiser-Bunbury, the UKRI-funded collaboration brings together researchers from Exeter, Edinburgh and artist Dr Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg. Recently featured on BBC Gardners’ World, the project was also showcased in Dr Kaiser-Bunbury’s March 2025 ESI Challenge of the Month talk, available to view online.

Transforming UK Farming Through Anaerobic Digestion and Aquaculture

A new study in Cogent Food & Agriculture explores how integrating anaerobic digestion (AD) and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) could boost the resilience and sustainability of UK farms. Using 2022 data in a linear programming model, researchers found AD can increase arable farm margins by 24%, rising to 56% when combined with RAS. In dairy systems, RAS offers the biggest gains, lifting margins by up to 70%. By recycling nutrients, producing renewable energy and enabling local warm-water prawn production, AD–RAS technologies support circular-economy goals, reduce emissions and offer promising diversification pathways for farms navigating environmental and economic change. Read the full article https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23311932.2025.2579888

New Publication– The Experience of Work in Early Modern England

Congratulations to Professor Jane Whittle on the publication of her book, The Experience of Work in Early Modern England (Cambridge University Press, Open Access). Using an innovative “work-task” approach and drawing on thousands of court depositions, the book reveals how women and men contributed to the early modern economy through agriculture, food processing, cooking, and other forms of labour.

Combining qualitative and quantitative insights, it redefines our understanding of work, gender, and economic change.
Read it free on Cambridge Core: The Experience of Work in Early Modern England.

Study charts UK’s shift from seafood self-sufficiency to import dependence

University of Exeter researchers have traced over a century of data showing how the UK moved from catching its own seafood to relying on imports from nearly 90 countries. UK catches fell sharply in the 1970s due to overfishing and tighter regulations, while imports surged—overtaking domestic landings by 1985. Today, 80% of UK seafood is imported, mainly cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and prawns, mostly from distant sources such as China. Researchers urge better fisheries management, more diverse diets and sustainable local sourcing to cut carbon footprints and ease pressure on global fish stocks. The paper, published in the journal Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, is entitled: “The UK’s expanding global reach for seafood over 120-years.”

Can Mobile Apps Help Us Eat Healthier and More Sustainably?

A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity explores whether mobile apps can support behaviour change towards healthier, more sustainable diets. Led by Esther Curtin and colleagues, the study analysed data from 21 studies involving nearly 13,000 participants across high-income countries.

Results showed that app use significantly increased fruit and vegetable consumption and led to a small reduction in meat intake, particularly when message-based content was used. The findings suggest that digital tools could play an important role in encouraging sustainable dietary choices. Read the full paper https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-025-01823-7

EVENTS

Exeter Food and Environmental Intelligence Networks’ Workshop: Developing Shared Research Proposals- register to attend

Following a May 2025 scoping event that highlighted challenges in cross-disciplinary collaboration, this workshop on Friday 28th November, 13:00–15:30, SWIOT Computer Lab) will apply Enhancing the Effectiveness of Team Science | The National Academies Press methods to co-develop research questions addressing real-world food and environmental challenges.

Projects for discussion are listed here, visit the Event Page for full details:

AI for management approaches in sustainable farming (Markus Mueller)
The National Trust food and beverage footprint: the potential of using AI for sustainability analytics (Maria Eugenia Correa Cano)
Use of machine learning to enable an aquaculture enhanced future for the UK (Robert Ellis)

It’s not too late to register to attend the workshop here https://forms.office.com/e/PqXMfa3LeH. There’s also the opportunity in the form to share ideas for future discussion. Please contact John Harvey (EI Network) with any questions. 

Exeter Food Network Seminar: Anna Taylor – Ambitions for the National Food Strategy

The Exeter Food Research Network invites staff and students from all disciplines and all members of Exeter Food, including our external partners, to a seminar with Dr Anna Taylor OBE, Executive Director of The Food Foundation, on Tuesday 27^th January 2026, 15:30–17:00 (Streatham Campus, Room TBC and online via Teams).

Anna will outline the Foundation’s ambitions for a new government food strategy, including the case for a Good Food Bill to promote better health, sustainability, and resilience. She will explore the policy and political challenges of building leadership for food system change—and the crucial role academia can play in shaping solutions. Please share with your colleagues and networks.

Funded PhD: Regenerative Livestock Farming and Climate Resilience

Applications are open for a funded PhD (2026 entry) at the University of Bristol exploring regenerative livestock farming for resilience to climate change. This opportunity is part of the ‘Black Heritage’ Scholarship, open to UK applicants of Black African, Black Caribbean, or other Black or mixed Black heritage. The project offers flexibility for students to shape their research within disciplines such as anthropology, geography, environmental or veterinary sciences.

An online PhD application workshop will be held on Monday 24^th November at 14:00.
Find details on FindAPhD.com or contact lauren.blake@bristol.ac.uk for more information.

Ilfracombe Networking Event: People, Planet, Profit Networking Event

Hospitality, food, and drink businesses and stakeholders in Ilfracombe and North Devon are invited to a free People, Planet, Profit breakfast event on Tuesday 25^th November, 10am–12pm at The Lime Kiln Café, EX34 9FQ. The morning will offer a relaxed space for networking, sharing business needs, and learning about training, research and recruitment support available through Skills Bootcamps, Connect2Work, and Learn Devon. The event aims to help local enterprises strengthen their workforce, access tailored support, and connect with others in the sector. Book your free place: https://ilfracombe-skills.eventbrite.com.

Creative Skills in Research Workshop– Adaptability and Flexibility

Join the Researcher Development and Research Culture Team for an interactive workshop exploring creativity, adaptability, and flexibility in research. Two dates are available:

Tuesday 25^th November 2025, 10am–4pm, Streatham Campus (Creative Quadrant)
Wednesday 3^rd December 2025, 10am–4pm, Penryn Campus (Peter Lanyon, Seminar Room 06)

The session will help researchers cultivate creative habits, embrace ambiguity and iteration, and turn failure into growth. Participants will gain practical tools to challenge routine thinking, strengthen resilience, and reframe research challenges. An engaging, informal, and inspiring day designed to spark curiosity and innovation.

Early Career Researcher Collaborating Beyond Academia Training

Wednesday 26^th November 10:00- 11.30 - Communicating Research Beyond Academia - with optional 1:1 coaching session - online.
Monday 8^th December 10:00- 13:00 - Exploring Industry Challenges event with engineering services company, Babcock (includes lunch) - in person - Exeter

Explore how to:-

Identify opportunities for collaboration
Connect with potential partners
Craft compelling, jargon-free, communication

Discover the workplace culture, approach to innovation and diverse support structures of major engineering services company, Babcock. Join other researchers and industry representatives for an introduction to networking and facilitated round table discussions about the challenge areas. Read more and Register

Walkie Talkie: Storying Water – 26^th November 2025

Join novelist, artist, and academic Ellen Wiles for Walkie Talkie: Storying Water at 10:30 on Wednesday 26^th November, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter. This free guided walk follows the Taddiforde Brook through some of the campus’s wildest green spaces, inviting participants to reflect on water’s stories through readings, conversation, and attentive listening. As CREWW’s artist-in-residence, Wiles explores the fragility and wonder of water systems through sound and storytelling. The route includes a steep hill and muddy paths, so suitable footwear is essential. An indoor alternative is planned in case of severe weather. Book now.

Webinar: Unearthing Empire 2 – Reclaiming Food and Collective Care

Join Culture Roots Collective and Roots to Work and Eating Better for a 90-minute webinar on Wednesday 26^th November 12:00–13:30, exploring how communities in the UK are reclaiming ancestral foodways and reimagining nourishment. Following an earlier session on colonial legacies in UK food systems, this webinar highlights acts of empowerment, restoration, and solidarity through cultural food traditions. Hosted by Idman Abduraham and Sareta Puri, panellists include Randa Toko, Lucy Aphramor, and Obie Pearl. The event is open to growers, activists, researchers, and anyone interested in food justice, land rights, and decolonising diets. Register via Eventbrite.

People, Planet, Profit: Packaging and Waste Solutions Event

Tuesday 2^nd December 2025 10:00–14:00 at Hawke Barn, Thorne Farm, Stoodleigh, Tiverton, EX16 9QG

Join the Devon Food Partnership and Prosper Business Support for an interactive morning exploring sustainable packaging and waste solutions for food and drink businesses. Discover practical ideas to reduce costs, improve sustainability, and prepare for upcoming waste legislation.

Hear expert insights from Devon Contract Waste, Trading Standards, Mid Devon Commercial Waste, Westaways Sausages, Sandford Orchards, and Solidus. Network with local businesses and enjoy a complimentary lunch.

Register via EventBrite: packaging-and-waste-solutions-MD.eventbrite.com

Webinar: Innovations for a Healthier Food System

Join Innovate UK on Wednesday 10^th December 2025 10:00–12:00 for an inspiring webinar exploring how innovation is shaping a healthier, more sustainable food future. Discover projects supporting reformulation to reduce salt, fat, and sugar, improve gut health, and enhance nutrient density. Speakers include Joanne Burns, Reformulation for Health Manager at Food and Drink Federation Scotland.

The event aligns with the UK’s National Food Strategy and Defra objectives—promoting collaboration, innovation, and resilience across the agrifood sector. Participate in interactive sessions and discussions designed to build a healthier, more sustainable food system for all.

Register now to secure your place.

CRPR External Seminar: What Does Soil Have to Say?

On Wednesday 10^th December 2025 10:45–12:15 via Teams, Rye Hickman (University of Greenwich/Rothamsted Research) will present What does soil have to say? Experimental methods for a relational political ecology of soil. The Centre for Rural Policy Research seminar challenges conventional views of soil as a managed resource, instead exploring the lively, more-than-human worlds beneath our feet. Drawing on PhD research with UK farmers, Hickman examines how power, policy, care, and everyday practice shape human–soil relations. Using interviews, participant observation, and arts-based methods—including soil bioacoustics—the session invites attendees to listen to real soil recordings and consider new ways of knowing soil!

Join remotely via TEAMS LINK (Meeting ID: 392 640 231 170 9 Passcode: H4dQ3rq3)

CRPR Distinguished Lecture – Professor Michael Winter

Join the Centre for Rural Policy Research Distinguished Lecture with Prof Michael Winter (University of Exeter) on Wednesday 17^th December 2025 10:45–12:15, in Queens Building LT1, Streatham Campus, or online via Microsoft Teams. Meeting ID: 399 585 659 231 2 Passcode: q6U6Jd2G

In his talk, “Whatever happened to the Political Economy of Agriculture?”, Prof Winter reflects on key shifts in British rural studies since the 1980s — from the rise of the political economy approach to the cultural and interdisciplinary turns that reshaped the field.

Please register your attendance, either in person or online, via Eventbrite. The event is expected to be popular, so early registration is encouraged.

Policy Engagement Training 2026

The Policy Engagement team are excited to announce two new online training courses in early 2026, hosted by Methods Innovation. Open to all researchers, these sessions aim to enhance understanding and impact in policy engagement.

Influencing Policy – Tuesday 27^th January 09:00– 12:00
Explore strategies for creating policy impact, addressing ethical considerations, and amplifying new voices.
Rapid Evidence Synthesis – Tuesday 3^rd February 09:00– 12:00
Learn practical approaches for working with policymakers and producing effective Rapid Evidence Assessments.

Both sessions are free for University of Exeter staff. Sign up via the links above or contact policyengagement@exeter.ac.uk 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–10^th June 2026 at the University of Vermont

OPPORTUNITIES

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.

Costing Exeter Food Network Activities in Grant Applications

Members of Exeter Food can include network activities in funding bids to showcase collaboration and impact. Eligible costs may cover staff time, admin support, co-creation workshops, business and industry stakeholder meetings, seminars, conferences, communications (websites, toolkits, videos), open-access publications, public engagement, or ECR training. Check funder rules—UKRI often allows admin or co-creation costs, while charities may be more restrictive. Demonstrating network involvement shows collaboration, interdisciplinary impact, and added value to your project. For guidance on costing, see this guide or email exeterfood@exeter.ac.uk to discuss specific projects. Don’t forget to tag the network in your application!

Starting a new project or applying for funding? Tag Exeter Food in WorkTribe

If your project benefits from your membership of this network, for example through funding, advice, collaboration, or engagement, tagging Exeter Research Networks in Worktribe highlights the network's value, leading to more support and growth, ensures recognition and further strengthens the network's capacity to assist its members.

This is very simple to do and will enable 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.

Funding Boost for UK Farming and Aquaculture

Innovate UK Business Connect has launched a new funding opportunity to address sustainability challenges in the farmed animal and aquaculture sectors. The SPARK Awards aim to accelerate innovation in areas such as breeding, nutrition, and precision agriculture, supporting low-emission, high-impact solutions across dairy, beef, poultry, salmon, and more. UK-registered academic institutions and Research & Technology Organisations (RTOs) can apply for up to £20,000 to collaborate with UK SMEs on projects driving sustainable production. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 26^th November.
For more information and to apply: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/

Call for AHRC-Funded Collaborative Doctoral Studentships

Historic England invites applications for its AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Partnership scheme. Their current priority research area- “Comers and Goers: The tangible and intangible heritage of seasonal labour and its place in rural England”, offers fully funded studentships exploring the history and impact of seasonal work in rural communities. Projects are co-supervised by two university academics and two Historic England specialists. Colleagues with research interests in rural heritage, labour history, or social mobility are encouraged to consider applying.

The deadline for applications is Friday 28^th November. Full details on the current call are here: https://historicengland.org.uk/research/support-and-collaboration/researchopportunities/collaborative-doctoral/

Call for Papers: Computer Vision for Earth Observation and Environment Monitoring

Submissions are invited for a special issue on Computer Vision for Earth Observation and Environment Monitoring, showcasing cutting-edge research in applying machine vision to environmental challenges.

Topics include scalable algorithms for land and ocean and atmospheric monitoring, novel deep learning methods, multispectral imaging and multi-modality data fusion. Papers addressing biodiversity loss, marine pollution, or climate impacts are especially welcome.

The submission deadline is Monday 1^st December 2025 with expected publication in September 2026. There’s more information available from The Institution of Engineering and Technology website. Please refer to the Author Guidelines and select the special issue title when submitting.

Paid Research Opportunity: Sustainable Food Consultancy Placement

PhD students interested in sustainable food are invited to apply for a paid consultancy placement with Better Food Traders as part of the Food Shines initiative. The researcher will explore how Business Rates Relief and Local Planning Laws can better support sustainable food start-ups and local retailers, producing a 10–15 page report to inform future policy. Open to UK-based doctoral candidates from any discipline, this opportunity sits within the BBSRC-funded BAFR-UK project. The application deadline is Monday 1^st December 2025. Find out more and how to apply here: https://www.aru.ac.uk/global-sustainability-institute-gsi/research/backcasting-to-achieve-food-resilience. Applicants also receive a free place at the Food Shines Conference in Cambridge on 19^th February 2026.

Call for Papers – Edible Boundaries . One day conference at the University of Warwick

Abstracts are invited for Edible Boundaries: Food, Identity, and the Material Culture of Eating and Drinking, a one-day interdisciplinary conference at the University of Warwick on 14^th March 2026. Exploring how practices of eating and drinking shape identities and power, the event spans topics from global food histories to taste, disgust, labour, ritual, sustainability, and heritage. Keynote speaker is Professor Anne Murcott (SOAS).

Please send a 250-word abstract and title by 15^th December 2025 to edibleboundariesconf@gmail.com Selected papers may be considered for a Routledge edited collection.

Ecologies of Food Conference – Call for Papers

The Umbra Institute invites scholars, artists, and practitioners to the Ecologies of Food Conference, exploring how food connects humans, non-humans, and environments in a rapidly changing world. Keynote speaker: Prof. Serenella Iovino. Topics include agroecology, food heritage, climate change, AI, art, pedagogy, and more.

Submit individual or panel proposals (max 250-word abstracts) by 31^st December 2025 via https://bit.ly/umbra-food-2026-submit.

The conference is taking place at the Umbra Institute, Perugia, Italy from 11th–14^th June 2026

For more details visit the conference website: www.umbra.org/food-conference-home

Pint of Science 2026 – Call for Speakers

Express your interest in speaking at Pint of Science Exeter, 18^th -20^th May 2026, on themes: “Tech me out,” “Atoms to Galaxies,” and “Planet Earth.” This global science festival brings researchers into pubs to share their work with the public in a relaxed, engaging setting.

Talks are welcomed on a wide range of topics, from Ecology, Plant Science, and Earth Sciences to AI, Quantum Physics, and Engineering. Speakers gain public engagement experience, refine communication skills, and inspire curiosity in diverse audiences.

Register your interest here: Speaker Form Contact: c.s.mesnage@exeter.ac.uk with questions.

Nuffield Foundation Strategic Fund – Call for Proposals

The Nuffield Foundation’s Strategic Fund is offering up to £15 million to support transformative ideas addressing major themes in UK public policy. Grants of £1–3 million are available for projects that combine rigorous research with clear impact, particularly those that are multidisciplinary, experimental, or innovative. Proposals should respond to one or more of the Foundation’s five priorities: prosperity and fairness; inclusion in a changing society; science and technology for people; climate change and society; and effective, trustworthy institutions.

The next deadline is 16^th March 2026. Find out more: Strategic Fund | Apply for Funding | Nuffield Foundation

Researcher Led-Initiative Awards – Apply Now

The Researcher Development and Research Culture (RD&RC) team offers annual funding to support postgraduate researchers and early career research staff. The Researcher Led-Initiative Awards support applicants in designing and delivering innovative professional development activities for peers, building skills and experience for career progression. Awards of up to £2,000 are available for projects, events, and initiatives—whether in-person, hybrid, or online—that have lasting impact. Applications are invited from early career researchers and other research staff, including lecturers, experimental officers, and research software engineers. For more information and to apply visit the Doctoral College Website.

Interested in tracking your food intake for one week and earning £10 in Amazon vouchers?

Participants are sought for a study exploring how tracking food intake influences eating behaviours. Over a 7-day period, participants will be asked to use either a new AI-supported food tracking app or a daily diary. You will be invited to enjoy two free buffet lunches and complete an online survey at the start and end of the 7-day tracking period. In addition to these buffet lunches, participants will also receive £10 in Amazon vouchers and gain free access to the Fueld.ai food tracking app, worth £39.99/ year. Interested? More info and study sign up is available here: http://tiny.cc/jsavzz or contact natalia.lawrence@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 enquiries or to discuss publishing opportunities, contact Niall.Young@iff.com

Call for Submissions – Petits Propos Culinaires

Petits Propos Culinaires (PPC) is an international journal dedicated to food, food history, cookery, and cookery books. Founded in 1979 by Alan and Jane Davidson, Elizabeth David, Jill Norman, and Richard Olney, PPC continues to welcome original submissions on all aspects of culinary culture worldwide.

Articles typically range from 7,000–8,000 words, though shorter and longer pieces are also considered. The journal also features photo-essays, field reports, food memoirs, and documentary notes by invitation.

Initial enquiries should be directed to Sam Bilton at editor.petitspropos@prospectbooks.co.uk
Full author guidelines and submission portal: https://journal.equinoxpub.com/ppc/about/submissions.

Join the Society of Agriculture (SocAg) – Free Student Membership During December!

Ahead of the official launch of the Society of Agriculture (SocAg) in January 2026, all students studying agriculture and land-based subjects are invited to register now for free Student Membership.

SocAg is the UK’s independent professional body for agricultural excellence, bringing together expertise from farming, consultancy, and environmental sectors to strengthen leadership and support the next generation.

Benefits include career development opportunities, networking, mentoring, employability support, and access to AgSource, SocAg’s weekly industry insight publication.

Email membership@soc-ag.org for an application form and visit www.soc-ag.org – new website coming soon!

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.

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.

RESOURCES

Exeter Food Mezze Seminar – Thank You for Joining Us!

Thank you to everyone who joined us last month for this year’s first Exeter Food Mezze Seminar—a mixed menu of taster talks exploring diverse food-related research across the university. These seminars provide a space to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and inspire future collaborations.

Speakers included Cassandra Lowe (Psychology) on why we struggle to resist “junk foods,” Semih Celik (History) on nineteenth-century Ottoman agricultural reforms, Tiago de Melo Cartaxo (Law) on food policy innovation, and Eve Kasprzycka (UBC/Exeter) on multispecies justice in salmon farming.

A recording and slides are available via the Exeter Food Network members area Mezze - 23 October 2025

Webinar recording: Unearthing Empire – Food, Land and Colonial Legacies in the UK

This webinar was hosted by Sustain and explores the lasting impacts of the British Empire on food systems in the UK. Presented Culture Roots Collective and Roots to Work and Eating Better, the session examined how colonialism disrupted Indigenous food systems, reshaped diets, and embedded exploitation into modern supply chains. Hosted by Roshni Shah, Diversity Outreach Coordinator at Sustain, speakers included Dr Corinne Fowler, author of Green and Unpleasant Land, and Naomi Terry, author of Jumping Fences. The webinar combined historical insight and storytelling to envision decolonised food futures. A recording is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scOMnb0DB9U

Podcast: Food From the Valley – Tamar Grow Local

In this episode of Nature Connects, host Ginnette Sutherland explores the Tamar Valley during British Food Fortnight, highlighting the work of Tamar Grow Local. Listeners are taken to Wheal Farm, where pasture-raised chickens and fresh vegetables showcase local food systems that reconnect communities with nature and their food. The podcast explores initiatives that nourish bodies, restore biodiversity, and build resilience—from community cook-ups to hedgehog-friendly gardens. Whether you’re a gardener, foodie, or nature enthusiast, this episode celebrates the transformative power of growing, sharing, and cooking local food. Listen again here: https://tamarvalleynationallandscape.podbean.com/e/food-from-the-valley/ .

Journal Article: Increasing Inequality in Agri-Food Value Chains (1995–2020)

A new analysis reveals growing inequality across global agri-food value chains. From 1995 to 2020, agricultural production for food and industrial inputs has increasingly shifted to the global South, while post-farm activities in the global North capture a growing share of food-system income.

The study also finds that a significant proportion of income is now retained in low-tax jurisdictions with little agricultural production. These findings highlight how globalisation and market concentration continue to shape unequal value distribution in food systems worldwide.

Food Foundation Report: Roadmap to Reducing Food Insecurity in the UK

The Food Foundation has published a new report, Roadmap to Reducing Food Insecurity in the UK , highlighting that one in ten UK households (11.3%) still experience food insecurity. While levels have fluctuated over the past five years, the report shows that government policy choices can quickly reduce or worsen the problem. The report explores the scale of food insecurity, identifies who is most at risk, and provides guidance for policymakers and local authorities on targeting support effectively. Read the full report here.

Laying the Foundation: A Fair Food Strategy

A new report, Laying the Foundation, calls for fairness at the heart of the UK’s developing Food Strategy. Produced by the Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) (made up of Food Foundation Ambassadors and Food Farming and Countryside Commission), the report sets out priorities including learning from what works, addressing root problems, and creating incentives for change.

Earlier this year, the 20-member CAC – representing diverse regions and backgrounds – observed government workshops and ran their own citizen sessions to gather views on food policy. Members bring lived experience from the Food Conversation and Food Ambassador programmes. Next, the CAC will investigate successful local initiatives to inform national policy. Read the news story and Download the report.

The Local Food Plan – Growing the UK’s Local Food Future

Local food is powerful — it can feed us in a crisis, strengthen local economies, and create thriving communities. Yet the sector faces major challenges to growth. Hence the Local Food Plan, developed by a collaboration of organisations as an ambitious roadmap to unlock the sector’s potential.

After consulting over 500 local food actors, they identified four key shifts and 31 actions to help local food systems scale up sustainably.

Discover how we can grow together: read the Executive Summary and the Local Food Growth Plan online and learn how to get involved in shaping a resilient food future. Contact info@localfoodplan.org with any questions.

Let the world know you're a member of the Exeter Food Network

As a member of Exeter Food you can update your university profile to add a ‘label’ which shows that you are a member. Adding this label will provide you with increased visibility (internally and externally) as an Exeter Research Network member, as it will enable your profile to be shared on the network’s online membership lists and search tools.

Adding a network label is quick and easy and there are instructions here.

Exeter Food is coordinated by Professor Harry West

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