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Newsletter: October 2024
Welcome to the latest 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 tag us in your posts for resharing!
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
NEWS
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 aims to understand how demand, and relatedly, taste, for seaweed are changing in the southwest, focusing on cultural intermediaries as a 'lens' through which to study mutually constitutive shifts in production and consumption. In addition, the research asks how the material reality of anthropogenic environmental change intersects with these shifts, to shape seaweed materially and symbolically as a particular kind of ‘food’. Congratulations Giulia! Please contact her if you would like to hear more gn290@exeter.ac.uk
Profiles System - ‘label’ your Research Networks!
All University of Exeter staff and PGRs can now access the new university profiles system based in Symplectic Elements. One of the improvements is the enhanced information about the Exeter Research Networks and their members on network webpages. A reminder to please log onto Symplectic Elements to review your profile and check your Exeter Food Research Network ‘label’ has been applied for you. There is guidance available here which explains how to add any missing labels. This label enables you to be identified (including by people outside the university) as a member of a research network (and will allow this information to be reflected on networks’ websites) but is not linked to your communication preferences. Therefore, if you remove this label from your profile, you will continue to receive communications from the network, but will not be visible as a member outside the network. If you have any questions, please contact researchnetworks@exeter.ac.uk.
Explore PIVOT-RP: get personalised alerts for research funding opportunities
PIVOT-RP has replaced Research Professional as a place to search for research funding. PIVOT-RP can help you to access over 35,000 funding opportunities and £101.56 billion in available funding. You can use advanced search options, searching by keyword or funder, discover internal opportunities, share and track funding with colleagues, and explore the funding discovery wheel. It can help you: stay informed with research news; access Funding Insight articles; subscribe to digital magazines; search for upcoming conferences; and search for calls for papers.
Create your user account today at pivot.proquest.com and streamline your research funding journey. If you have any feedback or queries, or want to discuss how to engage your teams, please contact Suzanne at researchprofessional@exeter.ac.uk. PIVOT-RP will be formally rolled out on the next few weeks, so please look out for communications.
Starting a new project or applying for funding? Tag Exeter Food in Worktribe
Tagging the Exeter Food Research Network in your projects on Worktribe highlights the value of the Network, supports its growth and capacity to provide more support to members. If the Exeter Food Network 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 will enable them to track the bids and projects which may arise directly or indirectly as a result of network membership. Very brief guidance is available here.
EVENTS
Exeter Food presents: Michael Caines MBE- Transforming the Menu
Exeter Food Research Network are pleased to invite you to a public lecture with Michael Caines on Tuesday 26th November at 7pm in the Alumni Auditorium, Streatham Campus.
In his talk, chef Michael Caines addresses critical challenges in today’s food system, including biodiversity loss and food waste. Drawing on his extensive culinary experience, he emphasises 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.
The event will also feature a Food Market showcasing local Devon food makers, allowing attendees to sample the region's finest offerings before the lecture. For those unable to attend in person, the talk will be accessible via Zoom, ensuring a wide audience can engage with these vital discussions about the future of food.
Tickets are selling fast, so don’t forget to book yours via EventBrite and share the link with your colleagues and contacts.
Understanding food policy and practice(s) in the early years: CRPR Seminar
30th October 10:45- 12:15 Byrne House boardroom or via TEAMS. The Centre for Rural Policy Research are pleased to invite you to this seminar with Francesca Vaghi from the University of Glasgow. The talk will examine how food policies in early childhood focus on individual choices and parental responsibility while neglecting social inequalities, advocating for a deeper understanding of how children engage with food in nursery settings. For more information, please contact CRPR@Exeter.ac.uk
The National Farm Management Conference 2024
Join industry leaders at the National Farm Management Conference on 7th November 2024 at the QEII Centre, London, for a day of discussions on "Intelligent Management for the Future." The event will explore key topics including the outlook for agricultural inputs, the challenges of cost inflation, and leadership in the sector.
Highlights include presentations from Maximo Terero (FAO), John Shropshire (G's Fresh Ltd), and a leadership panel featuring Jodie Bolland (Morrisons) and Professor Ken Sloan (Harper Adams University). Afternoon sessions focus on the future of intelligent farm systems, with talks on automation from experts at John Deere and Dyson Farming.
For more information and to register visit the IAGRM website. Use discount code LOBLEY24 to receive a 37% discount. Please feel free to share with your networks.
Greens & Gains: A Fun Dive into Plant Power!
Join us on 9th November 2024 from 10am- 4pm at St Thomas Community Food Hub, 95 Cowick Street, Saint Thomas, EX4 1JF for a fun, interactive event exploring the benefits of plant-based diets for both the environment and human health! With 75% less environmental impact and the potential to extend life by 10 years, plant-based diets are a win-win.
Explore three interactive stations, including a Food Station with taste tests and recipe swaps, a Digital Station featuring AI-powered nutrition apps, and a Craft Station where you can help build a ‘planetary health’ plate. This event is led by University of Exeter academics in collaboration with Love Food CIC.
Open to all ages, you can register for a 2-hour slot (10–12, 12–2, or 2–4) via EventBrite, or drop in if space is available.
Dr Elise Wach: Just Common Ground? Centre for Rural Policy Research Seminar
20th November 1:45- 12:15 Byrne House Boardroom and Via TEAMS Dr. Elise Wach, Research Advisor from the Institute of Development Studies will discuss the barriers to ecological food production in the UK. She will highlight access to land as a significant obstacle for first-generation farmers pursuing agroecology. While global movements advocate for increased land access to support labour-intensive ecological practices, there is a shift toward rethinking land governance, including the concept of 'commoning' or collective resource management. The talk explores a case study from the Scottish Highlands, where privatised land ownership led to harmful ecological and social impacts. It also examines the potential and challenges of alternative land governance and the evolving notion of Land Justice in the UK. For more information, please contact CRPR@Exeter.ac.uk
Future of Food Competition 2024
The Future of Food competition is a not-for-profit, fully inclusive event and it is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging entrepreneurial minds to devise solutions for tomorrow’s food challenges. In the face of significant global changes and rapidly evolving megatrends, they seek to emphasise the opportunities and issues within the food industry.
This free event is scheduled for Tuesday 26th November 2024 at the Royal Geographical Society in London from 12-5pm. Visit www.futureoffood.org.uk to register your attendance.
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.
Two Exeter research opportunities: Plant-Based Diets and Exercise Interventions for Eating Behaviour
1. The effects of a temporary plant-based diet plus personalised feedback on health and environmental benefits in students in catered halls (iCASE studentship) For more information and to apply visit the project website
2. Testing the feasibility and efficacy of an aerobic exercise intervention to improve dietary self-regulation in adolescents and young adults. Includes cognitive and neuroimaging tests of mechanisms. For more information and to apply visit the project website.
Please share these opportunity with students (including international) interested in eating behaviour. Applications close on Monday 4th November 2024.
Call for Applications: Academic Lead for Future Food Grand Challenges
Applications are open for the position of Academic Lead for the Future Food theme of Grand Challenges. Grand Challenges is the university’s award-winning interdisciplinary study week held each June. This exciting role allows students from various disciplines to collaborate on projects exploring diverse aspects of food systems, from sustainability to innovation in agriculture.
The Academic Lead will oversee project development, guide students, and ensure the success of the Future Food theme. The position includes a SWARM allocation. If interested, please contact Prof Natalia Lawrence (Natalia.Lawrence@exeter.ac.uk) or Dr Rebecca Sandover (R.Sandover@exeter.ac.uk) by 15th November.
AUR Seeks Adjunct Instructor for Food Studies Course
The American University of Rome (AUR) is seeking an adjunct instructor for the graduate-level course, "Social and Cultural Dimensions of Food and Eating," as part of its Food Studies, Policies for Sustainable Production and Consumption programme. The course will run from late January to mid-May 2025, covering 45 contact hours.
Key learning objectives include: examining food systems from socio-cultural perspectives, analysing global and local eating practices, and exploring contemporary foodscapes. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field such as anthropology or sociology, possess teaching experience and familiarity with North American programmes is desirable. To apply, send a covering letter, CV, and references to applications@aur.edu by 4th November. The position starts on 20th January 2025.
PhD Position in Human Dimensions of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices
The University of Georgia's Social Sustainability of Agriculture and Food Systems Lab is seeking a PhD student to explore the complexities of adopting "climate-smart" agricultural practices in the U.S. Under the guidance of Dr. Jennifer Jo Thompson, the student will engage in mixed-methods social science research to uncover barriers faced by commodity producers, with a focus on Idaho. Funded by the USDA through the Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership, this position offers the opportunity to conduct fieldwork and collaborate with local communities, including Tribal partners and producer cooperatives.
The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in a relevant field and a strong interest in human dimensions of agriculture and sustainability. Proficiency in qualitative research methods is preferred. Applications are due by 20th December 2024. Interested candidates should send a CV, statement of interest, unofficial transcripts, and an academic writing sample to Dr Thompson (jjthomp@uga.edu) and Dr Seigerman (cydneykate@uga.edu).
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.
Call for Contributions: Foodways to the Divine: Faith and Food in the Middle East, North Africa, and Beyond
Scholars are invited to submit contributions to the upcoming edited volume, Foodways to the Divine, to be published by Edinburgh University Press as part of the Food and Foodways in the Middle East, North Africa, and their Diasporas Series. Selected authors will have the opportunity to workshop their chapters at a seminar at the Orient Institut Istanbul (OIIST) in April 2025, where they can engage with peers and receive valuable feedback.
Essays should explore themes around the cultural significance of foodways in the Middle East, North Africa, and their diasporas, highlighting ceremonial foods and practices of fasting and feasting. Topics may include the symbolic meanings of foods, the intersection of faith and food, and the impact of contemporary landscapes and political climates. Contributions should consider both traditional customs and modern dilemmas surrounding religious food practices. For more information and how to apply see here. The abstract submission deadline is 31st October.
Call for Papers: 17th ICREFH Symposium - Food Safety in Europe (XIX-XXI Centuries)
The 17th ICREFH Symposium, focused on Food Safety in Europe from the 19th to the 21st Century, will take place from Monday 1st to Thursday 4th September 2025 in Paris. Organised by Jean-Pierre Williot and Gilles Fumey (Sorbonne Université), this event invites scholars to explore the evolution of food safety across multiple disciplines, including science, regulation, and economics.
Key themes include food safety expertise, regulatory frameworks, and the impact of food safety on public health, businesses, and consumers. Contributions may address crises such as BSE, food fraud, or the roles of international institutions like EFSA.
To apply, submit a 300-word abstract and a brief CV to the ICREFH Committee icrefh@gmail.com by 1st November 2024.
OpenAgri Open Call Launched – Apply Now!
The OpenAgri Open Call, seeks small consortia of two entities: an Agricultural Digital Solutions (ADS) provider (e.g., SME, university) and an end-user (e.g., farm or agrifood organisation). The aim is to co-create new Open Source ADSs, building on existing cloud solutions and testing both Edge and Cloud versions in areas with low connectivity.
The call will select nine new projects focused on countries, crops, and technologies not yet covered. The deadline for submission of proposals is 2nd December at 5pm. For more details, visit the OpenAgri website.
RESOURCES
Highlights from the First Exeter Food Mezze Seminar
The first Exeter Food Mezze Seminar was held online on 10 October. These seminars allow members of the network to share their work with one another, receive constructive feedback, and propose ideas for future collaboration. Short taster talks are each followed by Q&A. Presentations this time were given by Laura Colombo, Anni Vanhatalo, and Paul Cleave. Presenters’ slides can be found on the Exeter Food Members’ Area. Save the date- the next seminar will be held on 13th February 2025 09:45- 11:15am. More information will follow soon.
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 on Wednesday 23rd 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. Co-organized by the Global CFaH project, the talk was held on Streatham campus with a virtual link for remote attendees. 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.
UK Urged to Act on Food Security as Price Inflation Hits 40-Year High
Industry leaders gathered at Westminster on 14th October, calling for immediate government action to safeguard UK food security. With food price inflation at its highest in 40 years and over 10% of households facing food insecurity, the UK’s growing reliance on global supply chains, along with climate change and geopolitical shocks, has put domestic food production in the spotlight.
The Great South West, a Pan-Regional Partnership for Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset has published a report emphasising the region’s role in addressing this crisis. The South West is home to the UK’s largest fishing fleet and 1.24 million hectares of farmland and is primed to boost sustainable food production, supporting over 295,000 jobs across the agri-food chain.
Karl Tucker, Chair of Yeo Valley Farms, stressed, “We need action now. Our dependence on imports is a risk.” Other industry figures, including Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, echoed the call for greater investment in sustainable farming to secure the UK’s food future.
Download the Great South West Food Security Position Paper for more insights.
Waste Not, Want Not: Food as a Major Sustainability Lever?
Explore the latest insights from Hospitality Net World Panel experts as they examine the two crucial topics of eliminating food waste and transforming diets for socio-economic, climate, and biodiversity benefits. Despite widespread recognition of the need for sustainability, many individuals and hospitality managers struggle to translate intention into action. Discover the barriers hindering progress and uncover practical solutions in the experts' analysis. Access the full article, "Waste Not, Want Not: Food as a Major Sustainability Lever?" from the Hospitality Net
website.
Exeter Food is coordinated by Professor Harry West
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