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Newsletter: January 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
New publication- Comparing administration of Protein-Rich Drinks: Insights into Insulin and Amino Acid Responses
A team from the Nutritional Physiology Research department, in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, have published a paper looking at how nasogastric feeding may influence our body’s response to feeding. They showed that blood concentrations of amino acids and insulin were greater after consuming a test drink via a nasogastric tube, versus those who had consumed the drink orally. However, by infusing these participants with stable isotopes, they saw that nasogastric feeding did not augment the body’s ability to create new proteins over oral feeding.
This potentially has important implications for clinical populations that are typically less sensitive to amino acids and insulin, so create less (muscle) protein following meals. These findings have been published in Clinical Science (https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20231126), with a journal impact factor of 6 (Web of Science, 2023).
Research resources sought for the Behavioural and Cultural Insights (BCI) Hub website
The BCI Hub is a collaboration between the University of Exeter and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe. It aims to provide a platform for sharing evidence and good practice related to the barriers and drivers of healthy practices. Areas of focus include health literacy, environment and health, and antimicrobial resistance.
The Hub are looking for resources such as journal articles, reports, and research papers, as well as podcasts, videos, and case studies to showcase on their BCI Hub website please email them WHO-BCI-hub@exeter.ac.uk if you are interested or have any questions.
EVENTS
Second Exeter Food pechakucha seminar
Thursday 25th January, 9:45-11:15 via TEAMS
Exeter Food pechakucha seminars are
designed to allow us to familiarise ourselves with colleagues’ research, to offer valuable input and encourage future collaborations.
The four speakers and topics appear below, for more information visit the Exeter Food Events webpage. Presentations will be short (7-8 minutes), followed by time for discussion.
- Julian Garay-Vazquez Tropical Archaeobotanist (PDR Associate of Last Journey Project)
The Archaeobotany of culinary traditions and indigenous meal preparations of precolonial Borikén (Puerto Rico) - Luciana Torquati Senior Lecturer in Nutrition.
Food for gut: why feeding our gut microbiome matters? - Steven Emery Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Agriculture.
The culture of cooperation among British farmers - Rebecca Sandover Lecturer in Human Geography.
Acting for Food change- Undertaking Participatory Action with the Food Movement
Exeter Food Colloquium - The importance of science-industry collaboration in changing the way we eat
Friday 2nd February 2024 1:30- 4:30pm in Building One- Constantine Leventis Teaching Room and online.
This colloquium explores collaboration between university researchers and food industry leaders, focusing on the successful partnership with Quorn. Representatives from Quorn and the University of Exeter will share insights, concluding with a discussion on applying lessons to future science-industry projects and potentially continuing collaboration with Quorn.
- Part 1 Food Systems and the Quorn Story - Tim Finnigan, Professor of Sustainable Nutrition, University of Northumbria; and formerly Chief Scientific Adviser to Quorn Foods.
- Part 2: Translating Evidence into Action - Tess Kelly, Head of External Engagement, Quorn.
- Part 3: Where do we go from here? - Prof Benjamin Wall, University of Exeter.
The event will reflect on lessons learned from Quorn and our colleagues’ experience of partnering with them. We will discuss colleagues’ future research goals and industry partnerships. Please complete this sign up form to register to attend.
Exeter Food talk: Jake Fiennes- Making space for Nature: Balancing food security and self-sufficiency for a better environment
Thursday 22 February from 6:30pm in the Alumni Auditorium, Streatham Campus, EX4 4PT
With so many demands on our rural landscapes, how do we balance the needs of ourselves with those of the natural environment? 70% of the country is in some form of agriculture, some productive, some less so. Change is paramount, but can we afford to wait? Will we be able to overcome the cultural and social aspects of land use change for the benefit of future generations? Jake is Director of Conservation at the Holkham Estate, Norfolk and author of Land Healer: How farming can save Britain's countryside.
Please register here to attend and share the event with your colleagues and networks.
The talk will also be accessible via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.
Prior to the talk, there will be a food market on Forum Street featuring a range of local food producers. More information to follow.
Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR) Seminar - Cyborg Cooks: Digitalising domestic cooking in Germany
Wednesday 31st January 10:45- 12:15 via TEAMS - Katharina Graf - University of Frankfurt
This talk questions the futuristic idea of smart kitchens in Germany, focusing on the digitalisation of domestic cooking. Exploring the anthropological perspective through the concept of the cyborg cook, Katharina will challenge the one-sided view of technology rescuing busy or inexperienced cooks. Using examples like the digital kitchen robot Thermomix, she suggests that smart kitchens are already a reality, with mothers as early adopters. This challenges assumptions about women, even from cultural or class minorities, being tech-averse marginal users.
CRPR Seminar - Between Scales, Subjectivities and Species: Towards a political ecological theory of futurity in agri-food systems
Wednesday 21st February 10:45- 12:15 via TEAMS - Rob Booth - University of Birmingham
This seminar explores the various meanings of scale in agriculture, covering farm size, technology adoption, and envisioned changes. Using a critical geographical approach, it analyses how scale is produced in the spatial and temporal reality of agricultural systems. Drawing on empirical material from doctoral fieldwork with food producers, the presentation complicates discussions on scale by comparing visits to a large-scale arable business and a regenerative horticultural farm. The analysis shows how labour dynamics and interactions with the environment challenge ideas of desirable agricultural scale and technology use. It raises questions about farm viability, economic power, and farmers' capacity for transformative agricultural change, focusing on their perspectives on the future of their farms and agriculture.
CRPR Early Career and Postgraduate Researchers Showcase Symposium
Wednesday 1st May 9am- 5pm in the Constantine Leventis Teaching Room/ Building One and online via TEAMS.
The CRPR symposium is an opportunity for PhDs and ECRs to present their current research. CRPR research links with research across the University, Eg farming, the environment, human-animal interactions, labour in the food-chain and mental health. The symposium seeks to enable researchers to receive constructive feedback and facilitate future collaborations with researchers across the University’s research community.
Please confirm attendance via email to crpr@exeter.co.uk if you plan to attend in person.
Sustain Bridging the Gap seminar: The future of food hubs & ethical supply chains
Tuesday 23rd January 11am-12pm online
This talk is part of Sustain's Bridging the Gap series and will explore the challenges and opportunities in
making organic, health-friendly, and planet-friendly food accessible to all, regardless of income. The focus is on food hubs, wholesalers, and ethical supply chains as key components to create shorter, farmer-focused, and resilient supply chains. These alternatives can ensure fair returns for farmers, promote climate and nature-friendly farming, and provide long-term security.
The talk aims to discuss policy commitments needed to support food hubs and ethical supply chains, fostering a dialogue on making sustainable food options available to everyone.
For more information and registration visit the Bridging the Gap website.
Rootstock - Devon’s Future Farming Conference
Wednesday 14th February at Westpoint, Exeter
Rootstock is a one day conference, bringing South West farmers and researchers together to explore how farmers can build sustainable profitable businesses in tune with natural processes. Sessions will be based around contextualised science, with speakers a mixture of scientists and farmers. The conference will inform, discuss, and question current farming ideas, including regenerative approaches and the latest technical developments. For more information and tickets, visit the Rootstock website.
Agrarian Change Seminar Spring Series
The Journal of Agrarian Change has been producing its seminar series since 2008, and has recently released the programme for Spring 2024 – all seminars can be attended online.
- 29th January, 4.15-6 pm webinar.
Land’s future? (Re)imagining land as a financial asset class, financial asset class. Sarah Ruth Sippel (Münster University). - 8th February, 4.15-6 pm, webinar.
Global labour studies, racial capitalism and the Plantationocene: analysing capitalism as an integral formation. Jörg Nowak (University of Brasília). - 29th February, 10.15 am-12 pm Netherlands time. Webinar & in-person seminar.
The political economy of the agrochemical complex in China. Yunan Xu (International Institute of Social Studies) - 14th March, Time TBC. Webinar & in-person seminar at Wageningen University.
Agrarian extractivism: what is it and why does it matter? Alberto Alonso-Fradejas (Wageningen University) 21st March, 4.15-6 pm, webinar.
Everyday politics of class relations: Sub-contracting and Classes of labour in Indian building construction. Manish Maskara (SOAS University of London)
For more information and to register, visit the Agrarian Change Seminars webpage.
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London Food Forum online seminar series
Via Zoom Meeting ID: 996 9845 3289 Passcode: n1ahAxXCrh
- Friday 9th February 13:15-14:45
Dr Sucharita Kanjilal (Bard College, New York State)- ‘The Hindu Home Kitchen and the Internet of Landlords’ - Friday 8th March 13:15-14:45
Dr Shuang Gao (University of Liverpool) -“Language, food and identity: A linguistic ethnography of Chinese restaurants in the UK”
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.
Researcher-led initiatives funding available
Postgraduate Researchers and Early Career Researchers can now apply for a funding scheme to support their development and personal, professional and career management skills. Up to £2,000 per award is available to support projects, events, and initiatives e.g. speakers/ facilitators, relating to specific themes. You can find more information on this dedicated webpage. The deadline for applications is Friday 26th January.
Lighthouse Doctoral Scholarship Programme
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences "Lighthouse" programme is designed to foster collaborative PhD studentships in partnership with industry and is part of wider efforts at the university to strengthen connections with business.
Lighthouse plans to establish 25-50 collaborative industry-focused PhD studentships, aligned with both company and faculty research priorities. The goal is to create an ongoing framework for industry engagement, attract high-quality project proposals benefiting partners and the University of Exeter, produce skilled PhD graduates with a deep understanding of industry needs, and enhance research impact by translating findings into innovations through partnerships with companies.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. For more information, please contact the Industrial Studentship Manager at industrialstudentships@exeter.ac.uk.
Call for abstracts: 'Politics, Governance and Food Security across the Global North-South Divide'
A call for papers is now open for a panel on ‘Politics, Governance and Food Security across the Global North-South Divide’ which will take place at the Development Studies Association conference hosted by SOAS, University of London, from 26-28th June. The deadline for abstracts is 23rd January.
Call for expertise on ultra-processed food
The House of Lords Select Committee on Food, Diet and Obesity is preparing for a new inquiry on the links between food, diet and health. They would welcome hearing from researchers and experts on ultra-processed foods from all career stages and disciplines. Opportunities for researchers could include: presenting in private to the Committee, publicly submitting written evidence or giving oral evidence, or by acting as a specialist adviser for the Committee. You can express interest by filling in this form. The deadline to respond to the request is Wednesday 24th January.
Anthropology of Food Network – student paper award
The European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA) is inviting submissions for the Student Paper Awards in the Anthropology of Food. These awards were established by the EASA Anthropology of Food network to encourage emerging scholars in conducting anthropological research on food. Masters and early doctoral students in anthropology and related fields who study food are encouraged to submit their papers for consideration.
The deadline for submissions is 1st February. For more information about eligibility rules and judging criteria, please visit the EASA website.
Pre-announcement for interdisciplinary research funding to address epidemic threats
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) offers a new grant opportunity with £1 million in funding (maximum award: £100,000) to seed interdisciplinary teams for research on epidemic diseases in humans, animals, and plants. The application deadline is 27th February. More details are available from the UKRI website, including requirements and the application process.
Strengthening the resilience of the UK food system- UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding opportunity
Applications open for funding to strengthen the resilience of the UK food system. Taking a food systems approach and considering cascading risks. Projects should be interdisciplinary and must include collaboration with at least one stakeholder organisation (government, business and the third sector). For more information and to apply, please visit the UKRI website. The deadline for applications is 19th March.
Volunteer recruitment for a cardiovascular and gut microbiome study
The GAIN ONE study aims to answer whether prebiotic fibre and nitrate can improve blood vessel and gut health. The team are looking for research volunteers who are aged 45-74, are non-smokers and are not taking blood pressure medication.
Involvement will include screening and experimental visits, upper arm ultrasound scans, taking supplements at home, faecal, blood and saliva samples and completing questionnaires. An inconvenience allowance and a report on study findings will be provided upon study completion. Please contact Jessica jv326@exeter.ac.uk if you are interested or would like to find out more.
Summer employment opportunity at culinary guesthouse in Croatia
Please see below a summer job opportunity, shared by a SOAS anthropology PhD student.
Bolara 60 is a small guesthouse in rural Croatian Istria, with a strong focus on food, run by Anna Colquhoun, an anthropology PhD student at SOAS writing her thesis on the production of 'local specialities' in Istria.
The position available is a 3 month full-time salaried post, within the period late April to early November. It’s a varied role including housekeeping, food preparation and serving meals, gardening, making preserves and liqueurs. Past team members have appreciated learning new skills, meeting new people and discovering Istria. The job will suit someone who is keen to throw themselves into the life and work of a rural guesthouse and ready to work hard in a small team in a busy, social environment. For more information visit the Bolara 60 website or contact
anna@bolara60.com. The deadline for applications is 31st January.
RESOURCES
Recordings and resources from recent Exeter Food Network events
Exeter Food Network continues to host a wide range of interesting seminars, talks and events. If you missed the live events, don’t worry – recordings and resources are available for Exeter Food members from the Exeter Food members area, Please email researchnetworks@exeter.ac.uk if you have any problems accessing them.
Sustainable Food Places (SFP) evaluation report
SFP was founded to support local action on significant issues such as health problems related to diet, obesity, food insecurity, food waste, and environmental damage. The organisation collaborates with local food partnerships, harnessing the collective efforts of public agencies, voluntary sector organisations, businesses, and citizens for a joined-up approach on food issues.
This report builds on research with 75 local food partnerships. It provides the most extensive picture to date of local food partnerships (LFPs) in terms of their activities, impacts, organisation, additional funding, and priorities. The report is available here.
The UKRI Agri-food for Net Zero Network (AFN Network+) report - What could the UK Agri-Food System look like in 2050?
A new scenarios report explores potential future scenarios for the UK agri-food system, considering changes in geopolitics, economics, and demand patterns. The report envisions four scenarios and outlines pathways to achieve net zero in each. It highlights the importance of research to reach these goals and is the result of extensive workshops and input from contributors, including external experts. The report is available for download from the AFN Network+ website.
Food industry priorities for a sustainable food system: 2023 UKRI Innovate UK report
The 20th Century UK food system met the demand for safe, affordable, and available food, but current challenges require solutions for a 21st Century food system. This report highlights the essential role of food manufacturing, emphasising its significance in achieving net zero, fostering growth, and attracting investment. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is important in supporting pre-competitive technologies and commercial innovations for industry growth. The Innovate UK report is available from the UKRI website and outlines priorities in Net Zero, Healthy Living & Agriculture, and Digital Technologies to create a sustainable food system meeting evolving consumer needs.
What’s YOUR idea?
The Ideas Hub is a resource from Exeter Innovation for anyone developing (or considering) external engagement, particularly with business. The Hub is an information resource to support the application of research outside of academia. If you have an idea to work with business that you’re interested in developing please contact them or you can register your idea via the Ideas Log to receive personal support, or visit their website www.exeter.ac.uk/ideas-hub.Training and idea development workshops will follow later this year.
‘Farming is a dirty word now’: the woman helping farmers navigate a grim, uncertain future
A long read feature in the Guardian considers work by Heather Wildman helping farmers considering hard questions about the future of their businesses, change and succession and its implications on every aspect of their lives. The article references Exeter Food member Matt Lobley and his research findings that show 84% of UK farms are family businesses, with large numbers of farmers expecting not to retire and having not yet identified successors. Anecdotally, the most common reason for farmers selling up is succession. Wildman provides public workshops and private one to one farm-business health checks, all free of charge, supported by a charitable fund. Read the full article on the Guardian website.
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.
