No images? Click here
Newsletter: December 2024
Welcome to the final Exeter Food Research Network newsletter of 2024!
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 tag us in your posts for resharing!
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
NEWS
Devon Food Insecurity Briefing: Tackling the Crisis Together
The Devon Food Insecurity Briefing, held at the University of Exeter, brought together key organisations and individuals addressing the growing food poverty crisis. Attendees included local councillors, NHS leaders, public health directors, and researchers, with speakers from Citizens Advice Devon, Devon Community Foundation, Devon County Council, and the Trussell Trust.
Updates revealed a record 254,974 emergency food parcels were distributed by Trussell food banks in the South West in 2023/24—an 84% increase over five years. Citizens Advice data showed 80,000 Devon residents live on a negative income, unable to meet essential costs. Speakers stressed that current measures, like the Household Support Fund, are short-term fixes, leaving vital services facing funding uncertainties.
Read this press release for more information and visit the Devon Community Foundation's website to learn more about their work tackling food and fuel poverty.
Pioneering Planetary Health Framework for School Food
Congratulations to Exeter Food members Fatma Sabet and Steffen Boehm, who have published a report on their research into a planetary health framework for school food. This innovative approach combines health and sustainability within school meal systems, offering insights into how food education and sustainability can intersect for long-term impact.
Key findings include:
· School meals and education must work together: By integrating experiential food education (like cooking lessons and farm visits) with sustainable meal provision, schools can shape healthier, more environmentally conscious habits. Watch this interview with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall saying exactly this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U34Ail1ZfbU
· Sustainability at the forefront: Prioritising scratch cooking, local agroecological food sourcing, and plant-based meals emerged as key pillars of sustainable school food: Watch Miki, a catering lead explaining how this works in practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yib7LQzuRtE
· Ethical leadership matters: Empowering catering teams and local producers can shift school food systems away from reliance on large corporations and toward community-driven partnerships that benefit both pupils and local economies.
This study sets the stage for a planetary health approach to school food, and Sabet and Boehm encourage educators, policymakers, and advocates to join in shaping this transformative movement. The publication is available in full here Study Link
CABI Report: Securing the Future of Microbiome Research and Innovation
The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) has released a report, Securing the Future of Microbiome Research and Innovation, which links closely to a recent workshop by the Exeter Food Network Industry Research Forum. Inspired by the success of the UK Biobank, this publication highlights the critical role microbiome biobanking can play in advancing science and addressing global challenges.
The report’s key recommendation is the establishment of a UK Microbiome Biobank—a world-leading resource to support academic and industrial researchers in developing new medicines and solutions for human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Microbes are essential for sustaining life, while a minority can also cause disease.
This strategic roadmap outlines actionable steps to turn microbiome biobanking from ambition to reality, enabling groundbreaking innovations.
Read the full report here: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/20240382445.
Giulia Nicolini Awarded Wenner-Gren Grant for Research
Exeter Food member Giulia Nicolini has been awarded a Dissertation Fieldwork Grant by the Wenner-Gren Foundation, for her project on 'Shaping seaweed as a food in southwest England'. Her research explores how demand and taste for seaweed are changing in the South West. It uses cultural intermediaries like chefs or marketers as a way to study how production and consumption influence each other. It also examines how human-caused environmental changes affect these shifts, shaping seaweed both as a material product and as a symbol of a specific kind of "food." Congratulations Giulia! Please contact her if you would like to hear more gn290@exeter.ac.uk
Well Done to Exeter’s ‘Greens & Gains’ Event!
Congratulations to The University of Exeter and Love Food Community Interest Company (CIC) for their successful event, Greens & Gains: A Fun Dive into Plant Power!, held as part of the 2024 ESRC Festival of Social Science. Hosted at the Love Food CIC Community Hub in Exeter, the event highlighted the benefits of plant-based diets and how small dietary changes can benefit both health and the environment through engaging, interactive activities.
The event attracted a diverse audience and received outstanding feedback, with all participants reporting they learned something new and gained a greater awareness of the connections between diet, the planet, and personal well-being. Read this European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH) blog for more information.
EVENTS
Second Exeter Food Network Mezze Seminar
Thursday 13th February 9:45-11:15 online via TEAMS
You are warmly invited to attend this Exeter Food Mezze Seminar. Mezze Seminar's are designed to allow us to familiarise ourselves with the work of colleagues across the university with shared interests in food, to offer them valuable commentary, and to generate ideas for future collaborations. The speakers and topics appear below and there’s more information on the Exeter Food website. Presentations will be short, followed by time for discussion.
- Dr Marc-William Palen, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology and History- Pax Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World
- Ellen Williamson, PhD Researcher on Food, Nutrition and Health in Public Health and Sport Sciences- Considering the contribution of microalgae in human nutrition
- Dr Tomas Chaigneau, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Social Sciences, Environment and Sustainability Institute- The role of inequalities and difference for sustainable fisheries
- Dr Daniel Derbyshire, Research Fellow in Public Health Economics- An economic analysis of the impacts of local authority takeaway management zones around schools in England
Exeter Health Analytics Incubator Workshop: Interdisciplinary Innovation in Metabolism Research
Wednesday, 8th January 2025 from 9:20 to 13:55 at the XFi Building, Streatham Campus.
Join the Exeter Health Analytics Network for a workshop exploring innovative research ideas in metabolism. The workshop will highlight the integration of social science insights into metabolic research, moving beyond traditional views of metabolism and incorporating social conditions like food chain industrialisation and health inequalities. Researchers from STEM and HASS disciplines will collaborate to design cutting-edge data science projects that combine health and social science knowledge.
Refreshments and lunch are provided. Please register to attend via this registration form.
Got Seeds to Donate? The Exeter Seed Bank would Love Them!
Do you have extra seeds to share? Label them with the plant variety and harvest date, and drop them off at Exeter Library, Sidwell Street Bakehouse, or Exeter Phoenix (at the Seed Packing Workshop below). Viable commercial seeds are also welcome. If you are unable to drop them off, please email exeterseedbank@gmail.com to arrange a pickup.
Seed Packing Workshop
Join the Exeter Seed Bank at the Phoenix Arts Centre on 18th January, 2-4pm for a fun, relaxing seed packing session that supports the annual Seed Swap. It’s a great way to meet people and give back to your community. The workshop is free but please email to let them know you are coming.
Rootstock: Devon’s Future Farming Conference
Thursday 6th February 2025, Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Rootstock is a one-day conference for farmers in the South West, focused on building resilient, profitable, and regenerative farming systems.
UK agriculture faces growing uncertainties—climate change, volatile markets, and shifting subsidies demand new strategies for long- and short-term success. Rootstock will explore innovative, practical solutions, including regenerative farming practices that harness a deeper understanding of soils and closer connections with customers.
Sessions will combine science-based insights and real-world experience, featuring expert scientists and practical farmers who will inform, challenge, and discuss current trends and developments.
Earlybird tickets for farmers and Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) members are now available from the Rootstock website with general sale tickets opening in January.
Cornwall Food and Farming Group Conference: Food Security and Resilience
Join the Cornwall Food and Farming Group on Thursday 27th February 2025 at The Pavilion, Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge for a critical conference on Food Security: Resilience in a Changing World. With UK food production under 60% and harvests heavily impacted by extreme weather, rising input costs, and global supply chain risks, this event explores challenges and solutions for Cornwall’s food systems. Key speakers include:
- Prof. Tim Lang, leading expert in food policy.
- Dr. Pete Falloon, specialist in climate-resilient systems.
- Harriet Bell, regenerative farming lead at Riverford.
- Jayne Kirkham MP, DEFRA Select Committee member.
Tickets (£15 + Eventbrite fee, incl. refreshments & buffet lunch) are available on EventBrite.
For more information, contact Ashley Wood at ashley@cornwallfoodandfarming.org
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.
Invitation to Participate in Education Research Showcase
Thursday, 13th March 2025 10:00am– 1:00pm in the Innovation Hub, Princesshay, Exeter
The School of Education are seeking researchers to contribute to an interdisciplinary event in March 2025. The showcase aims to highlight education-related research happening across the University, fostering connections and inspiring new collaborations across departments.
Researchers exploring topics linked to young people, schools, colleges, and other learners are welcomed. Presenters will give brief overviews of their work, with opportunities to engage with leads from the School of Education’s research centres and other colleagues.
If you are interested, please submit a 100-150 word summary of your research by Friday, 20th December 2024 to n.harrison2@exeter.ac.uk. Researchers of all levels, including late-stage PhD students, are encouraged to apply.
Help Reduce Food Waste in Torquay and Exeter
Researchers at the University of Exeter are investigating food-sharing initiatives in Torquay and Exeter. The project aims to assess community readiness, existing food-sharing practices, and attitudes toward reducing food waste.
We invite you to participate by completing a short survey. Your input will help shape solutions to reduce food waste and support local food-sharing efforts. As a thank-you, you can enter a draw to win one of five £25 gift cards. Thank you for helping make a difference.
Call for Contributions: CABI Food Science and Nutrition Cases
The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) is seeking contributions for its Food Science and Nutrition Cases publication, with a focus on standardisation in the microbiome space.
These concise, real-world examples (2,000-4,000 words) serve as valuable learning resources for students by connecting research to practical applications. Accepted cases will receive a £100 stipend. CABI also seeks a Guest Editor for a special issue on edible insects.
To get involved please contact J.Lee@cabi.org or J.Oliver@cabi.org.
Call for Applications: Funded Summer School on Futures-Oriented Sustainability
PhD students are invited to apply for a funded summer school in futures-oriented sustainability at Venice International University in 2025. The programme focuses on enhancing rural resilience to climate change, transitioning to sustainable agri-food systems, and fostering rural transformation.
Key themes include:
- Rural transformation and sustainability transitions
- Migration, adaptation, and rural resilience
- Sustainable agri-food systems
Participants will workshop their research, engage in faculty-led sessions on participatory scenario planning and visual methods, and visit small farms near Venice. Applications are open until 31st January 2025. Full details can be found on the Venice International University website.
DEFRA Chief Scientific Adviser Vacancy
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is seeking its next Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to lead and ensure robust scientific evidence supports UK policy and decision-making. The CSA will provide expert advice to the Secretary of State, Ministers, and senior officials, promoting evidence-driven policies in areas such as food, farming, and environmental protection. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in science and evidence in policy-making, with a proven ability to communicate complex issues to diverse audiences. Applications are invited from all backgrounds. For more details, visit Saxton Bampfylde using reference OFRM. The deadline for applications is 1st January 2025.
Research Job Opening: Global Community Food Project
The University of Exeter is seeking a Research Fellow/Associate with strong quantitative analysis skills and an interest in nutrition to join an interdisciplinary, international team. This position is part of the NIHR Global Health Group, working with partners in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Philippines. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to a global community food and health project, focusing on impactful research in diverse regions.
The post is available immediately through to July 2026. The application deadline is 13th January 2025. For more information visit the Job listing on the University’s recruitment website.
Associate Professor Position – Food Studies, Taylor’s University, Malaysia
Taylor’s University School of Food Studies & Gastronomy is seeking an Associate Professor to join its team. The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, research, and administration in Food Studies. Responsibilities include designing and delivering postgraduate courses, supervising students, and supporting curriculum development. Teaching will focus on the social sciences, with an emphasis on food cultures and systems.
As a researcher, the candidate will join the "Food Studies" group of the Centre for Asian Modernisation Studies (CAMS) and work on projects such as the Asian Food Barometer. The role also includes securing research funding, publishing, and organising academic events.
Applicants must possess a Ph.D. in Social Sciences with seven years of university-level teaching or industry experience, a strong publication record, and demonstrated research excellence. The candidate should also have experience in securing research grants and building external partnerships. For more information, please visit the Taylor’s University website.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Opportunity: CANOVI Project
The Rieseberg Lab in UBC’s Department of Botany (Vancouver campus) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for a full-time position starting April 1, 2025 (2-year term, renewable). This role offers an opportunity to engage in Canada’s largest organic participatory plant breeding initiative: the Canadian Organic Vegetable Improvement (CANOVI) Project. Launched in 2018, CANOVI is a collaboration between UBC’s Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security (SeedChange), and FarmFolk CityFolk. The project aims to strengthen Canada’s organic vegetable sector by developing varieties that thrive in organic farming systems using advanced genomics and ecophysiological tools.
To apply, submit a single PDF with a cover letter, CV, and three references to Dr. Loren Rieseberg (loren.rieseberg@botany.ubc.ca). Application deadline: January 10th 2025. Interviews will be conducted January 20-24th 2025.
RESOURCES
Recording available for Michael Caines MBE- Transforming the Menu talk
Thank you to everyone that attended the Exeter Food Research Network public lecture with Michael Caines on Tuesday 26th November in the Alumni Auditorium, Streatham Campus.
In his talk, chef Michael Caines addressed critical challenges in today’s food system, including biodiversity loss and food waste. Drawing on his extensive culinary experience, he emphasised the importance of diversifying and rebalancing our diets by understanding local food sources, utilising seasonal ingredients, and reintroducing neglected foods into contemporary cuisine. Caines advocates for a more sustainable and secure food system through these approaches, highlighting the rich culinary potential of Southwest England. Recording now available from the Exeter Food SharePoint site.
Exploring Zero Budget Natural Farming: Dr. Sarah Duddigan’s Insights on Socio-Ecological Resilience in Andhra Pradesh
Dr. Sarah Duddigan, Lecturer in Environmental Science at the University of Reading, presented to Exeter Food members in October. Her talk, titled Understanding the Biophysical Processes and Extension Mechanisms of Natural Farming, focused on Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in Andhra Pradesh, India. ZBNF promotes synthetic chemical-free inputs and regenerative practices, aiming to boost socio-ecological resilience for smallholder farmers. Dr. Duddigan discussed how public messaging around ZBNF highlights soil transformations through increased microbial activity and nutrient availability, alongside societal benefits such as lower input costs, higher yields, and protection from debt and food insecurity. Her interdisciplinary study examined the accuracy of these claims and the motivations driving ZBNF adoption, which is expected to impact over six million farmers by 2024. For those who missed it, the recording and slides are available from the Exeter Food Network Members Area.
Ed Miliband Outlines Cross-Sectoral Land Use Framework
Since the government's 2022 commitment to a Land Use Framework, its publication has faced delays, most recently due to the change in administration. However, broad cross-party support remains for its implementation, especially as Labour pursues ambitious goals in housing, energy, and environmental restoration.
In a positive step, Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, confirmed in the Commons that the upcoming framework will address multiple sectors. He emphasised the importance of balancing food security, renewable energy, nature restoration, and farming.
Pilots like the Food Farming Countryside Commission (FFCC)'s Multifunctional Land Use Framework in Devon and Cambridgeshire have demonstrated how integrating local knowledge and cross-sector collaboration can break down siloes between housing, farming, and energy.
The FFCC is now gathering perspectives from local authorities and stakeholders to inform best practices, eagerly anticipating the government’s green paper and consultation later this year. Visit the FFCC website for more information.
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.
