pump priming round 2 flyer

Following another successful round of application and peer review, we are pleased to announce the SCAF Pump-Priming Awards Round 2 recipients. 
 
Of the 10 applications received, eight were selected for funding. Each reflects SCAF's commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research addressing issues at the intersection of food, health, equity, and sustainability. 

The projects supported include: 

  • Food Safety in Harvested Leafy Crops: Identifying Plant and Microbial Pathways for Control Strategies led by Dr Lindsay Williams (University of Edinburgh) with Dr Thamarai Schneiders (University of Edinburgh). 
  • Aesthetic Demand vs. Food Safety: Investigating Pesticide Residues, Microbial Load, and Antioxidant Content in Class I and Class II Grapes led by Mrs Evie Nikokavoura (Robert Gordon University) with Dr Aakash Welgamage Don (Robert Gordon University). 
  • Impact of Dietary Fat on Muscle Ageing: Exploring Sex-Based Differences using the African Turquoise Killifish Model led by Ms Maheen Wahid (University of Strathclyde) with colleagues Ms Kirsty Tinto, Dr Margaret Cunningham (University of Strathclyde) and Dr James Murray (Swansea University). 
  • I Farmer: Narratives about Self, Land and the Future of Farming led by Dr Ana Tominc (Queen Margaret University) with Dr David McBey and Dr Ben McCormick (University of Aberdeen) 
  • Evaluation of The Pantry Hub “After School Food Provision” Project delivered by the Courtyard Pantry Enterprise led by Dr Ada Garcia with Mr Dale Todd (Countryard Pantry Enterprise), Ms Jill Muirie (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) and Dr Irina Martin (Nourish Scotland). 
  • Stability at the Expense of Diversity: A Critical Analysis of Seed Regulation in Scotland led by Mr Donald Buglass (University of The West of Scotland) with Andrew Whitley (Scotland the Bread) 
  • Accounting for Agroecology: Co-developing New Methods of Data Collection to Demonstrate the Benefits of Crofting and Small-Scale Agriculture in Scotland led by Dr Tara Wight (The Landworkers’ Association) with Dr Anna Chadwick, Susi Stuehlinger and Dr Julia McClure (University of Glasgow). 
  • Seaweed for Dairy Cows: KELPing to Reduce the Environmental Impact and Improve the Iodine Content of Milk led by Ms Hattie Bracey (University of Glasgow) with Dr Rheinallt Jones and Prof Emilie Combet (University of Glasgow).

These eight projects bring together 24 researchers and practitioners from various institutions and sectors, fostering a broad range of perspectives and expertise, from nutrition, plant and agricultural sciences, microbiology, pharmacology, food media and communications, food systems management, public health, community development, animal nutrition, law, artisan baking and history. 

Alliance director, Emilie Combet, said

These eight projects represent an incredibly exciting moment for collaborative research in food systems. Beyond the immediate project outputs, the potential for these small, strategic investments to grow into larger, more comprehensive research initiatives is very exciting. SCAF is creating a collaborative ecosystem that will generate critical evidence, pilot innovative approaches, and build research capacity across disciplines. I look forward to seeing how these initial connections and collaborations will evolve in the future.

We extend our gratitude to the Scottish Funding Council for supporting SCAF members and these awards, and we look forward to hearing about the progress and results from the research teams at the annual event next year. 

Congratulations to all the awardees! 

Learn more about the projects on our showcase website.

First published: 3 December 2024

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