Research Fellow in More-than-human Food Geographies

Full Time Fixed Term (31/08/2027)

The School of Geography and Environmental Science is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow. This position will support the BBSRC/DEFRA-funded project ‘Towards Resilient Industrial Socio-Metabolic relations (TRI-SoMe CHICKEN)’ awarded to Prof. Emma Roe and colleagues, funded through the Strengthening the Resilience of the UK Food System call. TRI-SoMe CHICKEN, situated between cultural food geographies and science and technology studies, examines the benefits and harms of an industrialised food system to communities of humans, animals, microbes, and the environment. It does this through the lens of socio-metabolic relations – a conceptual framework that moves beyond functional understandings of inputs and outputs, to integrate experiences of harms and benefits for those lives caught up in the poultry food system. It will forge a novel policy instrument of ethical principles for socio-economic transitions to UK food system resilience, following empirical data collection and dynamic systems modelling of risks from trade disruption and extreme weather events. The project goal is to develop resilient socio-metabolics through co-produced knowledge, intervention and engagement, by researchers, industry stakeholders and consumers. 

The purpose of the Research Fellow is to undertake research activities connected to WorkStream 1 Socio-metabolic consumption and Work Steam3 Socio-metabolic politics under the supervision of Prof Emma Roe. It will involve supporting the innovation of the industrial socio-metabolic relations approach through using more-than-human theoretical literature to analyse empirical findings. Tasks will also include working on literature review, workshop event planning, project finance tasks, collecting and managing research data, research analysis, developing research papers, and liaising with non-academic stakeholders in the poultry industry and visual artists. 

The team includes Prof Justin Sheffield (Southampton), Dr Paul Hurley (Southampton), Prof Damian Maye (U of Gloucestershire), Prof Christina Vogel (City University), Dr Sarah Lambton (Bristol), Dominic Watters (U of Southampton), Oistein Thorsen (FAI Farms), and Samantha Green (Applied Group) and four other researchers. This team brings together multiple disciplines, methodologies and knowledge to project relevant areas such as agri-food systems (including poultry), animal health and welfare, consumerism, food security dynamic modelling, social and ecological resilience, reflexive food chain governance, net zero and climate change.

Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.’

The post is tenable at FTE from 1st October 2024 and is fixed term for 3 years. 

The School of Geography and Environmental Science is committed to fostering a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from candidates belonging to groups who are under-represented within academic posts at the University, including, but not limited to: people from Black and minority ethnic groups; and disabled people. The School is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of family friendly policies, flexi-time and flexible working. We are a Disability Confident employer and the School holds a bronze Athena Swan award. 

For further information on the different Southampton research groups related to this position, please see: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/research/groups/landscape-dynamics-ecology;

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/research/groups/ecology-evolution

For further enquiries please contact Prof Emma Roe ( E.J.Roe@soton.ac.uk)

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