A University of Gloucestershire professor has welcomed positive reviews of a substantial new encyclopaedia of which he is joint editor.

Professor Damian Maye, Professor of Agri-Food Studies for the University’s Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), has co-edited the exciting new book which comprises activities, ideas and challenges that shape relationships between food systems and society.

The ‘Elgar Encyclopedia of Food and Society’ is a substantive publication with over 120 entries from a range of international experts on the topic of food systems and society.

Covering an extensive breadth of topics such as supermarkets, gender, soil, and the relationships between each of these and food, two chapters have been written by researchers from the University’s CCRI.

Dr. Philippa Simmonds, Research Assistant for the CCRI, contributes a chapter related to food taxes, while Professor Julie Ingram, Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture, provides a chapter covering sustainable agriculture.

Professor Damian Maye said: “It is great to finally see the book coming out, which has been a major project. We have entries which cover big societal issues, such as race, gender and class and how they intersect with food. This can help people to understand these issues within society. There are also more specific entries which are particularly topical, such as poverty and food or ultra processed foods.

“The book has welcomed authors from across the globe who are at various stages of their career. We have seasoned Professors as well as early career researchers, each of whom can contribute something valuable to this publication which we intend to be a resource for students and academics.”

The book is available as an e-book and in hard copy which can be ordered here.