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Newsletter: December 2025
Welcome to the December edition of the Exeter Food Research Network newsletter and the last for 2025!
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
Exeter Food Workshop – The Protein Transition
The Exeter Food Network hosted a scoping workshop earlier this week to explore the challenges and possibilities of the global protein transition. Colleagues from across the University shared brief presentations on their research, highlighting scientific, environmental, economic and cultural perspectives on the future of dietary protein. A lively roundtable discussion followed, identifying opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and next steps for developing this emerging research agenda. Slides and recordings from the session are available from the Exeter Food Members’ Area. Please contact exeterfood@exeter.ac.uk with any questions or expressions of interest in future activities.
Exeter Food and Environmental Intelligence Research Networks Joint Workshop
A successful workshop jointly hosted by the Exeter Food and Environmental Intelligence Research Networks’ took place at Streatham Campus on 28th November 2025, laying the groundwork for two follow-up events: a second proposal-development workshop at Penryn in late February/early March, and themed sessions at the Exeter Environmental Intelligence Conference (7th –9th September 2026). Three promising proposals were explored, covering
- AI-driven sustainable farming
- AI for National Trust food and beverage sustainability analytics
- Machine-learning applications in UK aquaculture.
To get involved, contact Harry West or John Harvey, or to propose a topic for the next workshop, contact Lorien Jasny. The slides shared are available from the EF Members Area.
Collaboration for a More Resilient Water Future
Water underpins our homes, food systems, energy, and industries — yet growing demand, climate change, and population pressures are straining this vital resource. To address these challenges, the Cross-Sector Water Innovation Network (CSWIN), funded by Ofwat and delivered by Innovate UK, is bringing together innovators, businesses, and end-users from across sectors. This collaborative community aims to accelerate sustainable growth, improve water efficiency, and build resilience through shared innovation and mutual value. By fostering cross-sector partnerships, CSWIN seeks to shape a smarter, more secure water future for the UK’s people, industries, and environment. Visit the Network website for more information. https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/programme/cross-sector-water-innovation-network
New project to provide historical perspective on contemporary farming challenges
A new University of Exeter project will use 600 years of historical data to shed light on today’s farming challenges. The £1.4m AHRC-funded initiative, Past Harvests, brings together experts in business, history and environmental science to assess the sustainability of farming systems from 1250 to 1850. By analysing manorial records, tenancy agreements, crop yields, and national surveys, the team will generate sustainability scores for four key periods of agricultural change. Researchers hope these insights will support constructive dialogue among farmers, policymakers and stakeholders, offering historical context to guide future land-use decisions and promote more sustainable, collaborative approaches. Visit the Past Harvests website for more information.
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/.
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.
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.
Digging into Autumn - Kitchen Garden update
The Kitchen Garden is the result of a partnership between the University’s Campus Services Catering and Grounds Teams’. It was launched to grow fresh produce on campus, reducing food miles and reliance on bought-in goods for our Catering Team. In its first year, the garden supplied seasonal crops for banqueting menus and salads. The team trialled heritage and traditional varieties using sustainable methods, including hydroponics—a soil-free system that optimises water use, accelerates growth, and minimises pests without chemicals. This approach maximises space and reduces waste. For updates and more on its sustainable growing techniques, visit the Kitchen Garden webpage.
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
CRPR Distinguished Lecture – Professor Michael Winter
Join the Centre for Rural Policy Research Distinguished Lecture with Prof Michael Winter (University of Exeter) on Wednesday 17th 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.
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 27th January 09:00– 12:00
Explore strategies for creating policy impact, addressing ethical considerations, and amplifying new voices. - Rapid Evidence Synthesis – Tuesday 3rd 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.
Master Class: From Trees to Chocolate Bars
The Center for Food Studies at The American University of Rome will host From Trees to Chocolate Bars: Cacao, Culture, Innovation and Sustainability in a Changing World on 13th-14th May 2026. This day-and-a-half master class examines the global cacao and chocolate value chain, exploring genetics, farming practices, post-harvest processing, quality assessment, policy and market trends. Participants will engage in lectures, case discussions and a guided sensory evaluation, gaining both analytical and hands-on insight. The deadline for applications is 12th February
2026.
For details and registration visit https://aur.edu/chocolate or contact foodstudies@aur.edu.
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
SAVE THE DATE FOR ML4EO 2026
The Machine Learning for Earth Observation 2026 Conference will take place 22nd –24th June 2026 at the Peter Chalk Centre, University of Exeter, Streatham Campus. Building on three successful annual workshops, the event will unite researchers and practitioners from remote sensing, data science, and industry for talks, discussions, and hands-on engagement.
Participants from academia, government, and industry are invited to share discoveries, explore emerging AI/ML applications in Earth observation, and build networks and skills.
Register your interest via ml4eo.org and watch the EI Network events page, newsletters and LinkedIn for updates on abstract submissions and registration
Recordings from ML4EO 2025 are available on the ML4EO YouTube Channel.
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 costing guidance, see this guide or email exeterfood@exeter.ac.uk for specific projects. Don’t forget to tag the network in your application!
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 14th 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 15th December 2025 to edibleboundariesconf@gmail.com Selected papers may be considered for a Routledge edited collection.
Call for Papers: Food and Nutrition in Wartime
St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, invites proposals for Food and Nutrition in Wartime in the Modern World (19th–21st Centuries), a two-day conference on 16th –17th April 2026. The event will explore how conflict disrupts food systems, shapes nutrition science, and influences state policy, civilian survival, and humanitarian response. Scholars are encouraged to submit papers on themes ranging from rationing and food management to technological innovation, social control, and the weaponisation of food. Please send a title and 300-word abstract to foodandwarconf@gmail.com by 22nd December 2025. Limited facilitation grants are available. Visit the call website for more information.
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 31st 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 31st December 2025 via the online portal. More information is available here https://www.oxfordsymposium.org.uk/next-symposium/give-a-paper/
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 31st December 2025 via https://bit.ly/umbra-food-2026-submit.
The conference is taking place at the Umbra Institute, Perugia, Italy from 11th–14th June 2026
For more details visit the conference website: www.umbra.org/food-conference-home
Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival 2026
Groundswell 2026 will take place on Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July 2026. Session applications are open now and close on 31st January 2026. Organisers are inviting proposals for lectures, seminars, panels, demonstrations, workshops, safaris, walks or innovative session formats. Updated guidelines are available to help applicants shape their ideas. The Session Application Form is now live and previous event sessions can be viewed on the Groundswell YouTube channel. Exhibitor applications are also open for organisations wishing to have a stand at the show, via this form. Anyone interested in contributing in other ways is encouraged to contact the Groundswell team contact@groundswellag.com.
Second Joint Transnational Co-funded Call: Accelerating Food Sustainability
Future Foods Partnership has launched its Second Joint Transnational Co-funded Call, inviting researchers and innovators to propose projects that speed the shift toward sustainable food systems. The call targets three priority areas: promoting healthy, sustainable diets through household-level change; advancing diverse and circular food processing systems; and strengthening trust and transparency through better tools, metrics and labelling. Pre-proposals are due 11th February 2026, with full proposals on 27th July (invitation only). For more information and to apply, visit https://www.futurefoodspartnership.eu/
The Sophie Coe Prize 2026 – Now Open for Entries
Entries are now invited for the 2026 Sophie Coe Prize, the longest-running and most generous award for writing on food history in English. Open to published or recently written unpublished work of up to 10,000 words, the prize recognises original, insightful research on any aspect of food history. The winner, announced at the Oxford Food Symposium, (10th – 12th July 2026), will receive up to £1,500. Writers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Entries are due by 24th April 2026.
Further details are available on the website or by contacting sophiecoeprize@gmail.com.
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 16th March 2026. Find out more: Strategic Fund | Apply for Funding | Nuffield Foundation
Pint of Science 2026 – Call for Speakers
Express your interest in speaking at Pint of Science Exeter, 18th -20th 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.
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
An 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.
Visit www.soc-ag.org or email membership@soc-ag.org for an application form.
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.
Discover Exeter-facing Funding Opportunities with Funding Finder
Funding opportunities can also be found using the Funding Finder platform developed by Andy Cunliffe at the University of Exeter, which signposts hundreds of funding opportunities for research, fieldwork, conferences, and exchanges, relevant to individuals at all levels from undergraduates to senior academics. With thousands of easily 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 4,600 users from 99 countries have used the tool and more awards are being added frequently.
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.
Net Gain or Net Drain?
A new citizen-inspired report from the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission explores the true value of the UK’s agri-food industry. Net Gain or Net Drain?, authored by Dolly van Tulleken and Hannah Haggie with analysis from Cambridge Econometrics, challenges the familiar claim that big food companies boost the economy through jobs and investment. Instead, it examines the hidden social, environmental and economic costs embedded in the current system. Building on FFCC’s Food Conversation, the report proposes a fresh value framework to assess the performance of the whole agri-food sector and the impact of its most influential corporations. Read the report https://ffcc.co.uk/publications/
Living with the Planet
The British Academy’s autumn season Living with the Planet highlights new research on climate action and more connected, sustainable ways of living. This month, Dr Paul Behrens discusses how everyday choices can drive change. He emphasises that individuals “vote three times a day” through their food choices, with science showing that eating more plants benefits both the planet and our health. Behrens also champions “policy sequencing” — gradual reforms that make larger shifts possible, as seen in Denmark’s efforts to rebalance food systems. Though he feels hope more than optimism, he believes decisive climate action will ultimately mean cleaner air, water and healthier lives for all. Watch Paul and others discuss the Future of Food sustainability at a recent British Academy event.
Exeter Food Mezze Seminar – Thank You for Joining Us!
Thank you to everyone who joined us 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.
Read more: Increasing inequality in agri-food value chains: global trends from 1995–2020
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.
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 link 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.
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.
Happy Christmas and New Year's wishes from EF!
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.
