Visualising the foodscape: Pathways towards sustainable food systems

The core aim of my research is to explore how diverse communities—particularly those often excluded from decision-making—experience, perceive, and navigate food systems. I use the concept of foodscapes alongside participatory visual methods to illuminate these experiences, emphasizing the need to centre local perspectives in building healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food systems. The UKRI ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship provides a unique and timely opportunity to consolidate my PhD findings and lay the groundwork for an interdisciplinary, policy-engaged research career that bridges local realities with global food systems debates. Creating just and sustainable food systems requires understanding how individuals and difference communities experience food systems, particularly those that are often excluded from decision-making (Spires et al., 2023). This is particularly true for the 3.8 billion workers along the food value chain, predominantly in low and middle-income countries, who not only support, but also depend on, food systems for their livelihoods (Woodhill et al., 2022, Davis et al., 2023). Local perspectives are crucial in understanding how people engage with food systems and how their experiences shape actions towards sustainable change (Urquhart and Acott, 2013). My research explores foodscapes—a concept that looks beyond food itself to examine how food systems are perceived, represented, and experienced by individuals in different places and communities (Nyberg, 2019; Johnston & Goodman, 2015). Foodscapes highlight the connections between food, people, and place, providing insights into how people navigate food systems. The foodscapes concept remains underutilised in sustainability research—particularly in public health, economics, agriculture, and nutrition. My PhD research applied this framework to small-scale mangrove fishers in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, using participatory visual methods to capture local perspectives (Spiegel, 2019). West Kalimantan provides a critical case study due to its high area of mangroves, the dependence of local livelihoods on small-scale fisheries, and the increasing pressures from socio-environmental changes. The findings revealed large mismatches between local and global narratives, reducing the effectiveness of policy and practice outcomes. This fellowship represents a vital stepping stone in establishing myself as an independent researcher by: consolidating my academic track record; expanding my networks and engagement with interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary audiences; strengthen my methodological expertise and research leadership through targeted mentorship and professional development activities; and laying the foundation for a long-term research programme focused on just, sustainable, and healthy food systems. Specifically, I will publish key findings from my PhD research to contribute to critical debates on sustainable food systems. This includes publishing two papers and co-authoring a visual essay for a special issue on participatory visual methods in political ecology. To broaden the reach and impact of my research, I will present findings at major international conferences, engaging with interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners to build networks and partnerships. I will convene high-profile panels on foodscapes and participatory visual methods and lead a practical workshop to share insights from my arts-based exhibition in Indonesia. Targeted mentorship and professional development training in grant writing, project management, documentary storytelling, and Indonesian language skills will enhance my research leadership and methodological expertise. Finally, I will build interdisciplinary collaborations and apply for major grants, establishing a long-term research programme that advances inclusive, community-driven food systems transformation.