We are thrilled to announce the publication of the newest edition of GradPost, the publication written by postgraduates for postgraduates.

With a mission to celebrate and showcase the remarkable research endeavors of our Kent postgraduate community, GradPost continues to serve as a platform for sharing inspiring stories, valuable insights, and engaging experiences. The latest issue is no exception, featuring an impressive collection of articles that are sure to captivate and enlighten our readers.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the contributors, writers, editors, and reviewers who made this publication possible. Your dedication and hard work have resulted in an extraordinary edition that truly captures the spirit of our vibrant research community. Please read here for more info about our amazing team.

You can read the new edition here. Be sure to share the news with your colleagues, friends, and fellow researchers to spread the word about the remarkable work being done by our postgraduate community.

Happy reading! 📚

Our food system is increasingly dysfunctional. Events such as the pandemic and the Ukrainian war have demonstrated how fragile it is, with production and supply disrupted and costs spiralling. When food is available, there is a fierce debate about the nutritional benefits of processed products, the long-term impacts on population health, and even the morality and sustainability of dietary choices.

The annual Eastern Arc Conference, taking place on 20 September, will be a chance to debate these issues and look at solutions. The Consortium is well placed to do so, as it stretches across a region that has been shaped and defined by food. From the breadbasket of England on one side of the Thames to the garden on the other, the East and South East accounts for a third of England’s total income from farming (TIFF), and around two thirds of the country’s food imports come through the region.

In readiness for this we are seeking applications to lead or be involved in the breakout sessions. For these, we very much want to hear a diversity of voices and viewpoints, whether they be asking questions or offering solutions, sharing research or encouraging engagement. We want to hear from researchers and stakeholders, academics and businesses, community groups and charities, among many others. 

If you have an idea for a session, please complete this simple form by Monday 17 July. We hope to select the eight sessions shortly after, and open up registration at the beginning of August. The conference itself will take place in the Sibson Building at the University of Kent in Canterbury. It will be free and open to all, and registration will open in August.

More details on the call and rationale for the conference are available here. To get an idea of what an Eastern Arc conference is like, visit our ‘resources’ page from last year’s event that focussed on ‘The Collaborative Coast’.

If you have any questions in the meantime please contact Phil Ward, and feel free to share this more widely with your colleagues and networks.