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Newsletter: May 2025
Welcome to the May edition of the Exeter Food Research Network newsletter
Have you recently published food-related work, completed a project, or received a grant? Are you planning an event or know of relevant opportunities or resources?
Please email us at Exeter Food or follow us on LinkedIn and tag us in your posts for resharing!
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS| OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
Exeter Food and Environmental Intelligence Network collaboration
Over 20 academics from diverse disciplines (social, natural, formal [computing/mathematics] and applied sciences), and all career stages, gathered on 12th May for an initial workshop to explore collaborations applying data science/AI to environmental related challenges in the food system. Multiple areas of common interest were identified, with potential for developing research proposals including MSc projects, PhD fellowships, and larger scale grants. Options for follow up focused events and initiatives are being reviewed. If you wish to connect with the group’s next initiatives, please contact Harry West (H.G.West@exeter.ac.uk) or John Harvey (J.Harvey10@exeter.ac.uk).
Women in Farming Wellbeing Survey Launches
A new survey launched during Mental Health Awareness Week (12th–18th May) invites women in farming to share their experiences to help improve health and wellbeing support. Led by Rebecca Wheeler at the University of Exeter and The Farming Community Network (FCN), the study explores stressors, barriers to support, and positive aspects of farm life. The Economic and Social Research Council-funded study will support farming charities and inform public health bodies and policymakers. Open to women aged 18+ living or working on UK farms, the survey takes 15 minutes and offers a prize draw. Take part here: https://tinyurl.com/womeninfarming or find more information on the study website.
CRPR Responds to UK Land Use Framework Consultation
The Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR), including several RENEW team members, has submitted a response to the UK Government’s Land Use Framework Consultation. While supporting the development of a framework, the response calls for greater clarity on regional implementation, co-creation processes, and support for farmers and land managers. It highlights the need to prioritise multifunctional land use, mixed farming, and nature-friendly practices such as horticulture and agroecology. The CRPR emphasises that a successful framework must balance environmental goals with sustainable food system support. Read the full response on the CRPR website
When Farmers and Scientists Collaborate, Nature Thrives
The Burren Life programme in Ireland shows how farming and biodiversity can thrive together. Farmers and researchers from the University of Exeter’s interdisciplinary RENEW project co-design environmental plans, set shared targets, and tailor practices to specific landscapes. Unlike UK schemes that often overlook farmer knowledge, Burren Life uses it—leading to habitat restoration and long-term behaviour change. With 70% of UK land used for farming, involving farmers is essential. The Burren model shows that conservation farming works—ecologically, economically, and culturally. Read the full article on the Conversation Website.
Systematic Conservation Planning for Nature Recovery
A new paper in BioScience co-authored by Exeter Food members David Baker, Kevin Gaston, Kristian Metcalfe, and Ilya Maclean, advocates for using systematic conservation planning to guide nature recovery. The authors show how established frameworks can be adapted by integrating ecological, social, and economic forecasting with spatial prioritisation tools. This approach enables more effective targeting of conservation resources, ensuring maximum impact for biodiversity. Their work highlights how data-driven, forward-looking planning can support sustainable outcomes. Read the full article on the BioScience website.
Climate Change Threatens Future of Banana Export Industry
This paper from the Centre for Rural Policy Research team suggests agri-environment schemes (AES) can support nature recovery, but their impact is often limited by poor spatial targeting. In England, AES are typically designed at the individual farm level, which can lead to uneven distribution of conservation resources. To enhance effectiveness, strategic, landscape-scale targeting must be integrated with participatory approaches, setting clear goals, coordinating across farms, and adapting to local conditions and socio-economic factors. Systematic conservation planning offers a framework to align these elements. For AES to truly drive nature recovery, collaboration, shared knowledge, and flexible, targeted implementation are key to scaling up success. The paper is available in full from People and Nature website.
Gather Food and Drink Summit Food Drink Devon & Exeter Food
Wednesday 11th June, 9:15am to 4:30pm, networking from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
The Forum Building, University of Exeter Streatham Campus
Join us for Gather, the South West’s inaugural Food and Drink Summit, hosted by Food Drink Devon and Exeter Food. This one-day event brings together the region’s vibrant food and drink community for a day packed with insight, innovation, and collaboration. Featuring keynote speakers David Edwards (FFCC), Toby Buckland (TV presenter and gardener), and Claire Burnet (Chococo), the summit will explore sustainability, provenance, and quality in today’s dynamic industry. Attendees can choose from 16 expert-led workshops across four core themes: Marketing & Branding, Insight & Innovation, Routes to Market, and Fit to Grow. Topics range from recipe development and storytelling to sustainability, partnerships, and scaling your business. Gather promises inspiration, learning, and invaluable networking. The day concludes with an evening of cocktails, treats, and connection.
Special offer: Exeter Food Network and Food Drink Devon members receive a £10 discount! For more details and to book, visit Gather Tickets.
ESI Challenge of the Month: Harnessing the Soil Microbiome
Dr Bridget Watson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, presents the ESI Challenge of the Month talk for May 2025. Join her on Monday 2nd June, 1–2pm in the ESI Trevithick Room, Penryn Campus for “Growing plants sustainably: harnessing the power of the soil microbiome.”
Dr Watson's research explores Azospirillum bacteria and their potential to enhance crop yields and soil health. Her work, funded by BBSRC and The Royal Society, focuses on plant-microbe interactions for sustainable agriculture.
To attend remotely please email esidirector@exeter.ac.uk to request a Teams link.
Foundations, Evolutions, and Revolutions – CAFS 2025 Annual Assembly
The Canadian Association for Food Studies (CAFS) will host its 19th annual assembly from 2nd-5th June at George Brown College, Toronto. This year’s theme, "Foundations, Evolutions, and Revolutions," will reflect on the history, present challenges, and future directions of food studies in Canada.
The conference will feature a three-day programme of plenary events, exploring the field’s origins, current issues, and future transformations. Sessions will include academic research, community-based initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
For more information and to register, visit the conference website.
Sidmouth Eco Hub Film Screening: Wilding
Join Sidmouth Eco Hub, a partnership between CAPS and Sidmouth Town Council, for a special screening of Wilding on Sunday 8th June at 7:00pm. Based on Isabella Tree’s bestselling book, this inspiring film follows the rewilding journey of Knepp Estate, showing how wildlife thrives when nature is allowed to heal.
The
screening will be followed by a Q&A with local rewilders Vicky McLachlan and Mish Kennaway. Part of the Hub’s six-month trial, this event encourages community conversation on climate action and sustainable living. Book your tickets from the Scott Cinema’s website.
What’s Cooking? The Future of Food in Africa
Join What’s Cooking? The Future of Food on the African Continent on Saturday 21st June, 2–3pm. Part of the London School of Economics Festival: Visions for the Future. Hosted in-person and online, this panel explores African food systems, trade, climate risks, and cultural heritage, inspired by Professor David Luke’s new book How Africa Eats.
Speakers include Michelin-starred chef Joké Bakare, author Dipo Faloyin, WTO’s Edwini Kessie, and LSE academics Laura Mann and David Luke.
Co-hosted by LSE Press and the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa. Learn more and sign up via the LSE website.
Environmental Intelligence Network ML4EO Conference 2025
18th- 20th June in the Amory Building, University of Exeter Streatham Campus
The Environmental Intelligence Research Network are pleased to invite you to their Machine Learning for Earth Observation (ML4EO) Conference 2025, Registration is OPEN NOW.
This three-day conference brings together experts in remote sensing, AI, and data science to explore the latest advancements and challenges in Earth observation. Attendees will enjoy keynote talks, panel discussions, poster sessions, training workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. For more details visit https://ml4eo.org.
Invitation: We Feed The UK – Full Collection of Photography & Poetry
We Feed The UK, a powerful storytelling campaign by The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) and Gaia Foundation, brings together photographers and poets with the UK’s most inspiring food producers.
This full collection of ten stories, is on display at The Royal Photographic Society Gallery in Bristol from 3rd April – 22nd June. This
special exhibition features the complete photographic and poetic works, alongside new pieces by Magnum’s Lúa Ribeira, documenting grain rebels in the southwest. For more details on the exhibition and related events, visit the RPS website.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery: James Ravilious – An English Eye
From 10th May to 28th June the Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton presents an exhibition featuring the iconic work of James Ravilious, one of Devon’s beloved photographers. A selection of images from Ravilious’s extensive archive, including his renowned seventeen-year project for the Beaford Photographic Archive, captures the essence of rural life in Devon. This exhibition, on loan from The Burton at Bideford, showcases over 80,000 black and white images documenting farming, landscapes, and local communities. For more information visit the THG website.
Amsterdam Symposium on the History of Food – Registration Open!
Join the 8th Amsterdam Symposium on the History of Food, taking place 4–5th June, with this year’s theme: Food and the City. Explore how urban life has shaped – and been shaped by – food systems, from historical markets to modern urban agriculture. Highlights include academic presentations, roundtables, and a keynote by Professor Kate Brown (MIT), who will share insights from her forthcoming book Tiny Gardens Everywhere. Attend in person or online, with discounted rates available. For more information and to register visit the Symposium website.
RSA Event: Making an Unmeal – 10th June 12:00–4:00pm
Join chef and food anthropologist Bee Farrell for Making an Unmeal at Hawkwood, a unique RSA event exploring the sensory and cultural dimensions of eating. Set in the Cotswolds, the afternoon includes a welcome tea, foraging walk, sensory activities, collaborative cooking, and a shared “unmeal.” Using local, seasonal, and foraged ingredients, participants will deconstruct the traditional meal to spark new ways of thinking about food, memory, and sustainability. Open to cooks, storytellers, health professionals, and more.
Register by Monday 2nd June via the Hawkwood Website.
Society of Asian Food Studies (SAFS) Conference
The 2nd Conference of the Society of Asian Food Studies (SAFS) and the 15th Asian Food Study Conference will be held in Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan, 7-9th August 2025. With 3–5 parallel sessions, 36–40 oral presentations, and engaging poster displays, the conference provides a valuable platform for presenting and discussing research. A key feature is the joint session with the Society of Japanese Food Studies, encouraging rich interdisciplinary dialogue. Researchers and practitioners in food and beverage-related fields are invited to participate. For programme details and registration, please visit the conference website.
Phytochemicals and Health Symposium 2025 – Registration Open
The Phytochemicals and Health Symposium 2025 will take place at the University of Exeter Peter Chalk building on 1st–2nd September.
Organised by the Phytochemicals Special Interest Group of the Nutrition Society, this conference offers a friendly and supportive forum for researchers, nutritionists, dietitians and allied health professionals to share their work, network, and receive constructive feedback. The programme will be of interest to anyone working in the fields of nutrition, dietetics, public health, food science, or biomedical research, particularly those with an interest in the role of phytochemicals in health and disease.
For more information and to register visit the Event Page. The full programme will be available soon.
Abstract submissions are also open. Please send abstracts (up to 300 words) to SIGPhytochemicals@protonmail.com by 9th July.
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.
Annual Conference: Historical Perspectives on Women and Food- contributions invited
The West of England and South Wales Women’s History Network invites contributions for its 32nd Annual Conference, exploring women’s roles in food production and consumption. The conference will feature a keynote by Polly Russell, food historian and curator at the British Library. Topics include food marketing, gendered education, food campaigns, and more. We welcome papers, posters, films, and panels with a historical focus.
It's taking place on Saturday 11th October from 10am to 5pm in the Forum Building, the University of Exeter Streatham Campus. Submit a 150-200 word summary to Jane Howells at howellsjane2148@gmail.com by 24th May 2025. For more details, visit the Network website.
Explore Hundreds of Opportunities with Funding Finder
Dr Andrew Cunliffe’s Funding Finder platform signposts a wide range of funding opportunities for research, fieldwork, conferences, and exchanges. With awards from £100 to £10 million, it’s relevant to individuals at all levels—from undergraduates to senior academics. With searchable listings and awards ranging from £100 to £10 million, it's designed to support global collaboration and research engagement.
Explore Funding Finder and share with your networks. Over 6,000 users from 90 countries have already accessed the tool, and around 400 more awards are expected to be added by August.
Fully Funded PhDs on Food and Society – Apply Now
The Centre for Future Societies Research at the University of Hertfordshire is offering fully funded PhD studentships in the domain of food, starting October 2025. Topics include: charity in hospital food provision (Ref EJ1), food education in prison and the community (Ref EJ3), and food and families at the end of life (Ref EJ5). Each award includes full tuition and a minimum £20,780 bursary per annum. Applicants must be UK residents and home-fee eligible. Applications close 26th May 2025.
For details and how to apply visit Jobs.ac.uk – Future Societies Studentships
Apply Now: International Course on Sustainable Food Production
PhD students are invited to apply for the International Course on Sustainable Food Production, held 10–15th July in Erice, Sicily, at the prestigious Ettore Majorana Centre. This course is part of the 5th International School of Materials for Sustainable Development and Energy. Topics include agroecology, crop stress resilience, genomics, gene editing, AI in breeding, and new food systems.
The cost is €900 (includes accommodation, meals, events). Limited fellowships are available for students from low-income countries.
Apply by 1st June with a CV, motivation letter, and recommendation via email avi.levy@weizmann.ac.il
Funding Opportunity: Food Systems Commercialisation Catalyst Awards
Zinc, in partnership with BBSRC and ESRC, has launched the Multidisciplinary Food Systems Commercialisation Catalyst. This initiative supports social science and bioscience researchers ready to tackle disciplinary barriers and build healthy, sustainable, and resilient food systems through commercialisation.
The two-stage programme includes a food system sandpit, a six-month support programme from Zinc, and up to £125,000 in funding. For more information and to apply visit the UKRI website. The deadline for applications is 13th June.
Help Study the Effects of Food Tracking on Eating Behaviour
Exeter Food members Prof. Natalia Lawrence and Dr. Cassandra Lowe are seeking volunteers for a study exploring how tracking food intake influences eating habits. Participants will use either a new AI-powered app or complete a food diary for seven days. The study includes two short surveys and free buffet lunches at the start and end. The project aims to better understand the role of food tracking in diet choices. To learn more and sign up, visit: https://exe.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eQfhWElCUm7pANw
Call for Contributors: Multifunctional Land Use Decisions POSTnote
Parliament’s POST is developing a new POSTnote on Multifunctional Land Use Decisions, exploring collaborative governance models to balance the UK’s increasing and competing land use demands. This briefing will highlight the challenges and opportunities in creating integrated land use approaches that deliver for food, nature, climate, and people. Work begins in May 2025, with publication expected in October 2025. Contributions from researchers and stakeholders are welcome to inform this work. The deadline to express interest is 11th June 2025. Find out more from the POST website and complete this form to get involved.
Exploring Biochar on Campus
Following March’s biochar seminar with Carol Morris, David Evans from the Estates team has shared plans to trial biochar use across the Exeter campus. Working with the Sustainability team, they aim to produce biochar on-site and test its benefits in the vegetable gardens, plant nursery, and even on grass sports pitches. The focus will be on soil and plant health, and potential reductions in fertiliser use.
If you're interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact David at d.m.evans@exeter.ac.uk This could be of particular interest across the network—please do share with others!
Enter Capturing Ecology 2025 – Call for Entries!
The British Ecological Society’s Capturing Ecology photography competition is back! Showcasing global stories of ecological beauty, struggle, and survival, they invite photographers to submit their most striking images of the natural world. Entries are open until Tuesday 30th September 2025.
With more categories than ever — from animals and plants, behaviour, mobile ecology and ecologists in action— this year’s contest offers a top prize of £750 and 12 months free BES membership. To learn more and submit your image visit the BES website
Beyond Farm to Fork Conference – A Successful Gathering
Earlier this year, the University of Exeter hosted the Beyond Farm to Fork conference at St Luke’s campus. PhD students conducting food-related research, ranging from farming and fishing to food waste and diet-related health outcomes, came together for this interdisciplinary, one-day event. Organised by PhD students for PhD students and funded by the Researcher-led Initiative Awards, the conference fostered insightful discussions and collaboration. Staff and master’s students were also invited to join the morning session. A collection of collages created during the event is available for viewing here.
Devon’s Good Food Strategy Annual Report 2024–2025 Now Available
Devon Food Partnership has released its second annual report, celebrating over two years of progress since launching Devon’s Good Food Strategy. The 2024–2025 report highlights a significant rise in activity and deeper collaboration across the county, particularly with Devon County Council. Key updates include work on the Peninsula Food Plan, the Every Bite Counts local food campaign, Community Hubs for Food Security, and the People Planet Profit business events series.
The Partnership continues to drive and support food system change across Devon. Read the full report on the Devon Food Partnership website.
Corporate Lobbying: The Dark Side of the Plate
UK dietary health is in crisis, with rising rates of diet-related illness threatening the NHS, economic growth, and food sector sustainability. New research from The Food Foundation highlights how corporate lobbying and conflicts of interest are undermining effective food policy. While lobbying can play a legitimate role in democratic policymaking, a lack of transparency and entrenched power imbalances in the food system are distorting policy outcomes. This briefing explores the scale of food industry influence and urges investors, policymakers, and the public to scrutinise corporate actions—both public and behind closed doors—to drive meaningful change. Read the full report on the Food Foundation website.
Making Nature Count: Valuing Nature in Food Systems
Nature is being degraded at alarming rates, with biodiversity loss and climate change threatening the foundations of our food systems. A key issue is that nature’s value is often overlooked in economic and policy decisions. While most economists agree this is a major driver of environmental decline, they disagree on how nature’s value should be measured—whether in monetary, intrinsic, or rights-based terms. These differing approaches have real implications for food system reform. Explore the debate and its impact on food policy in this discussion paper: Making Nature Count.
A Citizen Mandate for Change: What the UK Really Wants from Food
Following two years of national dialogue, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission’s (FFCC) Food Conversation reveals five citizen-driven priorities for transforming the UK food system: strong, joined-up food leadership; equitable access to nourishing food; high public food standards and less waste; fairer deals for farmers; and support for local food networks.
This work challenges long-held policy assumptions that the public wants cheap food and limited regulation. Citizens across the UK are calling for bold government action, systemic change and shared responsibility—showing a clear mandate for a fairer, healthier, more sustainable food future. The full report is available from the FFCC website.
Exeter Food is coordinated by Professor Harry West
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EVENTS