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Newsletter: July 2024
Welcome to the latest edition of the Exeter Food Research Network newsletter.
Have you recently published work on a food-related theme, completed a project, or been awarded a grant? Are you planning an event that colleagues should know about, or have you heard of such events elsewhere? Are you aware of opportunities or resources that might be of interest to other network members? Please email Exeter Food.
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
NEWS
Exeter Food LinkedIn account
Exeter Food now has a LinkedIn account! We will be posting about publications, job opportunities, events and resources. If you’re on LinkedIn, give us a follow! Please feel free to send any news or items you would like us to share on LinkedIn to ExeterFood@exeter.ac.uk, or simply tag us on your own LinkedIn posts for us to repost.
Call for speakers: Join Shillingford Organics for an Organic September Event!
Shillingford Organics is excited to plan an event for Organic September, a campaign led by the Soil Association. This will include talks, workshops, farm tours and dinner with discussions. They are seeking engaging speakers on topics that align with the Soil Association themes Collaboration, Innovation, Community, and Celebration and broader themes such as organic farming, soil health and access to locally produced food.
Shillingford Organics are passionate about developing the local market for farmers and food producers. Apart from vegetable crops, they are also cultivating wheat, managing a box scheme, and actively engaging in local farmer's markets. Please email Johanna Korndorfer johanna@shillingfordorganics.co.uk if you would like to get involved or have any questions.
EVENTS
Explore the Intersection of Farming and Photography at the 'Anthology of Rural Life' Exhibition - Tent Talks series
Saturday 20th July and Sunday 21st July, Kestle Barton
Anthology of Rural Life - Farmers of The Lizard exhibition by Colin Robins & Oliver Udy (15 Jun - 1 Sep) is a stunning photographic survey of the farming communities on The Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. This exhibition is also an opportunity to delve into the critical discussions surrounding land use, farming, and creative practice. Two exciting talks will take place on the 20th and 21st July at Kestle Barton.
Tent Talk I: Food systems, farming & land use
Date: Saturday, 20 July Time: 11am - 5pm
Tent Talk II: Creative Practice, Photography, and the Land
Date: Sunday, 21 July Time: 11am - 5pm
More details at www.kestlebarton.co.uk. The Tent Talk series is a collaboration of Falmouth University, the University of Plymouth, Falmouth Art Gallery and The Museum of Cornish Life, Helston, with generous support from the Cornwall Community Foundation.
Eat, Drink and Love Local! Food Festival by Greendale.
Saturday 10th August 10am- 7pm at Exeter Castle
This family-friendly event brings the countryside to Exeter city centre, featuring street food, live music, a traditional bar, al fresco cocktails, and children’s activities. Explore a variety of foodie experiences in a vibrant atmosphere. Best of all, the festival is free—no tickets needed! For more details, visit Greendale Food Festival.
Building resilient rural communities panel discussion
Wednesday 11th September 7pm-9.30pm, University of Exeter, Amory Building
If the UK wants to retain resilient food and farming systems capable of adapting to climate change technological innovation, we need healthy, sustainable rural communities. Rising mental health issues in rural areas, worsened by limited access to support services, pose a significant challenge.
This free joint event with the University of Exeter and the Campaign for Social Science
will unpack these challenges and potential solutions. It features farmer and former NFU President Minette Batters (event chair), and Professor Matt Lobley and Dr Becca Wheeler of the University of Exeter. The full speaker line-up will be announced soon.
Attendees can participate in the panel discussion, audience Q&A, and a networking drinks reception. Register via EventBrite. Full speaker line-up to be announced soon.
Cultivating Wisdom: Agroecology Innovation from Experts in the Field
21-22nd October, Birch Community Centre, Brighton Grove, Manchester
Collaboration and innovation are key to sustainable growth. The Association of Applied Biologists (AAB), Organic Research Centre (ORC) and Agroecology Research Collaboration (ARC), which includes the Landworkers Alliance (LWA) are organising this event focused on the benefits of on-farm participatory research.
This event aims to engage farmers, researchers, social scientists, and economists in understanding the societal and financial impacts of agroecological practices and sharing ideas. Over the past two years, ARC's UKRI 'Community Knowledge Fund' project, 'Experts in Your Field,' has explored the potential impacts of on-farm research.
Farmers will share their experiences, providing researchers with practical insights to improve on-farm research. Attendees will discover how participatory research can directly enhance farming practices, build cross-sector partnerships, and understand the financial implications of adopting agroecological methods. For more information on the draft schedule and speaker list visit the event website.
Call for Abstracts: Share Your On-Farm Research
Submit your abstracts for oral or poster presentations by September 15th. Submissions are welcomed from researchers and farmers, especially early career researchers. Travel grants and bursaries are available. Selected abstracts will present 15-20 minute talks, join panels, or provide poster presentations. Apply via the AAB website.
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.
Healthy and environmentally sustainable diets study- participants needed
Ravan Hudayfa is a master's student in Global Sustainability Solutions at the University of Exeter. She is conducting a study on healthy and environmentally sustainable diets and is looking for feedback from health professionals working in clinics, hospitals, community centres and private practices in the UK who are involved in dietary conversations with the public
Participation is via this brief online survey and Ravan would also appreciate the opportunity to have an in-depth discussion with you via a video call at a convenient time.
£15M Funding Boost for Nutrient Management in Agriculture
UKRI announces the 'Farming Futures Research and Development Fund Nutrient Management' fund, offering £15 million funding to address soil and water nutrient management challenges in agricultural livestock and crop production.
The funding will support feasibility studies and industrial research projects aimed at developing technologies easily adopted by English farmers and growers to enhance nutrient management practices.
Funded by Defra through the Farming Innovation Programme and delivered by Innovate UK, this initiative seeks innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture and fund collaborative development projects. The competition closes on Wednesday 24th July at 11am. For more information and to apply visit the competition webpage.
Job Vacancy- Research Assistant- Food Assistance Project at SOAS
SOAS University of London are seeking a Research Assistant for their ESRC-funded project, “Digitalising Food Assistance: Political Economy, Governance, and Food Security Effects Across the Global North-South Divide.” The project, led by Dr. Susanne Jaspars, includes case studies in Sudan, India, and the UK. The role involves supporting the UK case study, conducting literature reviews, fieldwork, and analysis. Collaboration with the Food Foundation and participation in project administration and team meetings are essential. The research aims to influence both academic theory and policy, providing insights into digital aid governance and food security among marginalised populations. More information is available from the SOAS website. The closing date for applications is 1st August.
FSA Food & You 2 Knowledge Exchange Fellowship opportunity
The Food Standard Authority (FSA) are seeking an ambitious early career researcher for a five-month fellowship, with the possibility of extension subject to funding. This fellowship is an exciting opportunity to help bridge the gap between research and policy. The successful applicant will be embedded within the FSA’s Analytics Unit for five months, with the aim of raising the profile of their Food and You 2 survey and use of the dataset among external stakeholders. The role includes building partnerships, developing relationships for collaborative projects, hosting sessions, and disseminating findings.
To apply please send your personal statement and CV to lucy.murray@food.gov.uk. The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 11th August. For more information please email Lucy, or visit the FSA website.
PhD Positions in Culinary Change in Indonesian Diasporas
The Royal Netherlands Institute for Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV) in Leiden is seeking three PhD candidates for the TASTE project. Funded by a European Research Council Grant, TASTE explores culinary changes post-migration, focusing on communities in Suriname, Sri Lanka, or South Africa.
Candidates will research the evolution of Indonesian culinary traditions, conducting extensive fieldwork and collaborating with local consultants. Applicants should have a completed master's degree, fieldwork experience, and proficiency in English and a local language.
The deadline for applications is 15th August. For details visit the KITLV website or contact Principal Investigator Tom Hoogervorst at hoogervorst@kitlv.nl
BBSRC Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) Discover funding opportunity
Unlock funding to explore the market potential of your bioscience-based concept and expand your understanding of technology applications with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) ICURe Discover programme.
This eight-week online market discovery initiative supports bioscience researchers, including PhD students, postdocs, and group leaders, in uncovering market opportunities and enhancing awareness. Using lean start-up methodology, the programme applies the scientific method to commercialisation, guiding participants through hypothesis testing and customer feedback. To learn more and to apply, visit the UKRI website before applications close on Thursday 19th September.
SCI Seed-corn Funding Call 2024/25
The Societies and Cultures Institute (SCI) are pleased to announce that our Seed-corn funding Call for academic year 2024/25 is now open for applications.
The aims of the Seed-corn Fund are to support HASS led challenge-facing and innovative research projects, where there is a clear and convincing pathway to an externally funded research project application.
Priority will be given to those project proposals with the ambition to develop research practice that reaches beyond the conventions of the base discipline, drawing on exciting and novel knowledge, methods and specialist skills.
Please email societiesandcultures@exeter.ac.uk to request a Seed-corn Funding Application Form and for any queries. Deadline for applications: 12pm, Monday 25th November.
RESOURCES
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.
New report: The Politics of Protein
The International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) has released a new report assessing the sustainability of livestock, fish, and alternative proteins, debunking misleading claims and false solutions. The report highlights that public discussions focus disproportionately on ‘protein’ without considering production system and regional differences, leading to flawed solutions. Major meat, dairy and fish companies promote technologies like plant-based alternatives, lab-grown meat and precision farming, often backed by governments, despite being responsible for current unsustainable practices. The report calls for shifting from ‘protein transition’ to sustainable food system transition, focusing on regional sustainability, reclaiming resources from 'big protein,' and prioritising public-good innovations. Read the full report on the IPES website.
ROOTS to WORK Resources: Supporting Your Search for a Sustainable Food Job
Root to Work resources pages offer a comprehensive collection of resources, advice, and insights for jobseekers in the sustainable food sector. It provides valuable information for both jobseekers and employers, emphasising equality, diversity, and inclusion to foster sustainable and ethical growth:
For Jobseekers:
- Career Insights: Explore various careers in sustainable food and farming through our detailed resource guide.
- Webinar: Watch our "Careers in Sustainable Food and Farming" webinar, featuring professionals from public health, agriculture, local government, and social enterprise.
- Job Alerts: Sign up to receive alerts for the latest job openings in this growing sector.
- Training and Skills: Discover courses and development opportunities in sustainable food and farming.
- Employability Support: Access guidance and tools to enhance your job search and career prospects.
For Employers: Learn how to recruit top talent by embedding core principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion in your organisation.
Unintended consequences of environmentally friendly diets
Amid worldwide concerns about health, climate change, and biodiversity, attention has turned to the pivotal role of our diets. Unhealthy eating habits contribute significantly to global disease, while food systems worsen climate change and environmental degradation. Efforts continue to develop sustainable food systems, but a recent review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition warns of potential trade offs, including potential nutrient shortages despite the environmental gains. This Food Tank article underscores the necessity of collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and programme implementers to create food systems that prioritise both sustainability and nutrition for people and the planet.
The Exeter Food newsletter is taking a break over the summer. We hope the sun continues to shine and we'll see you in September.
Exeter Food is coordinated by Professor Harry West
Please email us to submit items for future newsletters by the last Friday of each month. To find out more about our work, please get in touch with us.
