Feeding the Nation: Seasonal Migrant Workers and Food Security during COVID-19 Pandemic
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Sociology & Social Policy
Abstract
he UK edible horticulture sector relies on seasonal workers to plant, harvest and pack crops. 94% of seasonal workers in the UK are EU nationals. Travel restrictions and quarantines pose unprecedented challenges to recruitment, yet seasonal workers remain essential to ensure food security throughout the pandemic.
This project examines the recruitment and experiences of seasonal agricultural migrant workers throughout harvest seasons 2020 and 2021. Using 212 remote qualitative interviews and data analysis, findings will support policy interventions from our policy impact partner - the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - and other stakeholders for which we will prepare monthly reports including comparative international analysis. Furthermore, we will co-produce with our charity impact partner - New Europeans - information materials adapted to the needs of seasonal migrants. To engage with the wider audiences and inform public views about seasonal migration, we propose a web-based Monitor and a virtual exhibition.
The project has 6 key objectives: (1) to provide information in real time on worker recruitment and retention in order to support evidence-based rapid interventions and mitigate risks for UK the food supply; (2) to provide information to limit contagion on farms; (3) to document the experiences of seasonal workers and farmers; (4) to inform decisions on the post-Brexit immigration system in light of possible future pandemics; (5) conceptually, to contribute to theories about the high demand for migrant labour in periods of high unemployment and (6) and to debates on the contributions of low skilled migrants as key workers.
This project examines the recruitment and experiences of seasonal agricultural migrant workers throughout harvest seasons 2020 and 2021. Using 212 remote qualitative interviews and data analysis, findings will support policy interventions from our policy impact partner - the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - and other stakeholders for which we will prepare monthly reports including comparative international analysis. Furthermore, we will co-produce with our charity impact partner - New Europeans - information materials adapted to the needs of seasonal migrants. To engage with the wider audiences and inform public views about seasonal migration, we propose a web-based Monitor and a virtual exhibition.
The project has 6 key objectives: (1) to provide information in real time on worker recruitment and retention in order to support evidence-based rapid interventions and mitigate risks for UK the food supply; (2) to provide information to limit contagion on farms; (3) to document the experiences of seasonal workers and farmers; (4) to inform decisions on the post-Brexit immigration system in light of possible future pandemics; (5) conceptually, to contribute to theories about the high demand for migrant labour in periods of high unemployment and (6) and to debates on the contributions of low skilled migrants as key workers.
Publications
Barbulescu R
(2021)
without freedom of movement who will pick fruit?
Barbulescu, R.
(2020)
Seasonal migration: monthly policy bulletin December
Barbulescu, R.
(2022)
Feed the Nation: the lives of seasonal migrant workers
Barbulescu, R.
(2023)
Accommodation offset, national minimum wage and seasonal migrant workers in agriculture
Barbulescu, R.
(2020)
Seasonal harvest workers during Covid-19
McAreavey, R
(2023)
The impact of labour shortages on UK food availability and safety
in Food Standards Agency
Robertson, R.
(2021)
The trajectory of farming as essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic
| Title | 'Feed the Nation' song by Pedler Russell |
| Description | co-produced folk song with Pedler Russell duo The song was developed with input from PI and incorporates segments from interveiws, spoken over by a volunteer |
| Type Of Art | Composition/Score |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | well received by the general public. 431 views since August on Youtube. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6yOm740Wv8 |
| Title | 'The Raspberry Planter' Exhibition The MERL |
| Description | This exhibition is part of a new series exploring the role of seasonal migrant workers in UK food security. Illustrations by Sarah Hannis provide an insight into the lives of migrant agricultural workers who came to the UK in 2020 and 2021. The accompanying story is based on interviews with workers and on photos they shared during the Feeding the Nation research project. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | well received by the general public, strong engagement and qualitative quotes from visitors |
| URL | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/online-exhibitions/migrant-workers-the-raspberry-planter/ |
| Title | 30 artistic illustrations |
| Description | 30 artistic illustrations have been commissioned to illustrator Sarah Hannis. The illustrations were based on a photo diary of a worker, personal observations of cabbage harvasting and worker diaries on Yourtube, The illustrations were done in a variaty of medium, watercolour, ink, pencil. When they were completed, the illustrations were digitalised. On Match the 17th the illustrations will be showcased to the general public in a online exhibition at the Museum of English Rural Life. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | the illustration are helpful in raising awareness and making visible a community that is tansient and largely invisible in the UK. |
| URL | https://feedingthenation.leeds.ac.uk/artistic-exhibition/ |
| Title | Migrant workers: hidden rural mobilities: exhibition The MERL |
| Description | UK farming relies on seasonal migrant workers to plant, harvest and pack fruit and vegetables. Over 90% of seasonal workers in the UK are migrants. Yet, they tend to be a hidden community across rural spaces. In previous exhibitions-on raspberries and strawberries-illustrations by Sarah Hannis showed the work of migrants and their role in food production from farm to fork. This final instalment shows the physical mobility experienced by seasonal migrant workers, during farm labour as well as in the transitions as they arrive, depart, and move between crops and farms. These stories are based on interviews with workers and on photos they shared during the Feeding the Nation research project. This exhibition is a collaboration between artist Sarah Hannis, the Feeding the Nation research team, and the Museum of English Rurl Life (The MERL). |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | na |
| URL | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/online-exhibitions/seasonal-migrant-workers-mobilities-uk-farming... |
| Title | Summer on a Stawberry Farm: exhibition at The MERL |
| Description | In a previous exhibition, illustrations by Sarah Hannis showed the work of seasonal migrants in winter. As we progress to warmer months, this exhibition shows the role of migrant workers during summer on a UK strawberry farm. The story is based on interviews with workers and on photos they shared during the Feeding the Nation research project. The exhibition follows 'the journey' of strawberries from harvest through to their arrival on supermarket shelves. This exhibition is a collaboration between artist Sarah Hannis, the Feeding the Nation research team, and The MERL. the exhibition was timed with the Wimbledon finale for greater impact |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | extremly good engagement and qualitative quotes by visitors |
| URL | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/online-exhibitions/migrant-workers-summer-on-a-strawberry-farm/ |
| Description | The project Feeding the nation seeks to bring new and better understanding of seasonal migration in the UK. To do so it interviewed and surveyed both migrant workers and farmers/ farm managers to thus build knowledge on the perspectives of the two. Projects studying migration or farming rarely bring these two perspectives together- to our knowledge this is the first project that has implemented this ambition. Furthermore, the secondary focus on pandemic, migration and essential workers at the time of borders closure carved a clear pathway to re-energising a public debate about the role challenges and contributions of seasonal workers. The research methodologies was designed to be entirely remote in order to prevent delays in the eventuality of further lockdowns. A UK-wide sample of 73 migrant workers were interviewed on the phone -not online as internet connection is weak in rural setting and could not guarantee stable connection and good recording. On the employers side the team has spoken with 63 farmers and farm manager though a combination of in-depth interviews (online and phone) and 53 postal surveys. For the postal survey we had a relatively good response rate of 29% We have developed an oversample targeting farmers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to account for regional variation. As the team could not access farms directly for many months, migrant workers were recruited to keep a photo diary of photos which allowed the team to see the farm and fields though their eyes. Findings The findings of the project are as follows: For seasonal migrant workers: migration comes at a high financial cost with the majority accruing debt before arriving to the UK; migrants have little information about their contract and working conditions and find it difficult to navigate complex legislation regarding both their visa and stay in the UK as well as employment conditions (for example zero hours contract). The workers are most concerned about pay and speak of emotional costs of migration. For employers: 11% of the farmers experienced labour shortages in 2020 and 2022, labour shortages had significant impact of the profitability and viability of the farms with some considering closure including of farms in families for many generations, less fresh produced is being produced in the UK with negative implications on food security and positive implications on net zero targets; British workers have joined in or showed interest in farming as a consequence of Pick for Britain campaign of 2020, however the farmers we spoke to suggested they hire on average the same number of British workers as in 2019 (pre Covid19 and end of Eu freedom of movement in December 2020); |
| Exploitation Route | To make the project useful for others, a number of open source resources have been published on the project website. Secondly, the team has an extensive record of public engagement with the greater public as well as with policy and practitioners communities. in addition collaborations with artists and new artworks such as a set of illustrations exhibited by the Museum of English Rural Life as three independent exhibitions and a co-produced song with the folk duo Pedler Russell are incorporating the findings of this project in popular culture. Lastly the data collected will be archived with the UK Data Service and available to other reserchers. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://feedingthenation.leeds.ac.uk/ |
| Description | Seasonal workers are migrants who come to work in agriculture on six month visa and a small proportion of Eastern European domiciliated migrants. Due to the seasonality and mobility, traditional surveys such as Labour Force Survey, DEFRA June Survey offer no or limited data. Seasonal workers are primarily located in rural areas, live on farms and work on fields often miles away from the nearest neighbour. Their presence, their work and contribution to the sustainability of UK farming and food security remain largely invisible. Feeding the nation research team has been guided by a strong commitment to impact which is pursued in four fundamental societal benefits : 1) Increased visibility of the community within the British public through artistic collaborations with visual artists, musicians, the Museum of English Rural Life- artworks are digitalised to ensure legacy; 2) Improved quality of public debate through regular participation to public debates and blogs (eg UK in Changing Europe), media collaborations (BBC Countryfile), private presentations for policy communities (in particular DEFRA, Low Pay Commission, Food Standards Agency, Department for Labour Enforcement, EFRA Select Committee and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation regarding the vaccination schedule for seasonal workers); 3) By creating open source resources including dynamic maps, Covid19 Monitor for agri-food industry and bibliographies 4) Empowering both workers and farmers though a series of informational materials that offer tailored advice for T5 visa and EUSS holders. These materials are endorsed and promoted by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and they are co-produced with New Europeans UK and Seraphus - two charitable organisations with grassroot links to migrant communities. With Seasonal Worker visa introduced only in 2021, the multi-lingual multi-media informational materials have increase societal capacity in the post-Brexit immigration system, prevent exploitation and improve practice on the ground where it matters. |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Other |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | DEFRA Independent Inquiry into the Labour Shortages |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Until this project there was no national data on seasonal workers in the UK. The research team has made great effort to be available for contirbutions to policy inquiries, consultations and independent reviews. For this Independent Review into labour shortages, we have presented the evidence on the disincentives in the system to attact, retain and organise migration orderly for UK farming. |
| Description | Submission to Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) regarding seasonal migrant workers and their inclusion on vaccination priority list in Phase II. 17.02.2021 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | co-produced multimedia and multilanguage informational resources for migrants in seasonal work |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
| Impact | the materials are empowering the migrant communities who engage in seasonal agriculture in the Uk and prospective migrants who try to navigate and understand their rights and obligations under the new immigration system. The materials communicate clearly and in an accessible language what are the rights and limitation of the immigration status when working in seasonal agriculture and it signpost essential and emergency help as well as support for reporting abuse. in less than three months the videos have an agregated 500 views on Youtube. |
| URL | https://neweuropeans.uk/seasonal-workers/ |
| Description | contribution to Consultation responses on proposal to revoke the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 (Abolition of Agricultural Wages Board) |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | the contribution sent by our team showed the impact the regulatory framwork would have for seasonal workers. The great majority of seasonal workers in Northern Ireland are migrants.l |
| URL | https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/summary-consultation-responses-proposal-revoke-agricultural... |
| Description | contribution to Report 'Covid-19 and the UK Food System: Learning Lessons and Building Back Better A report for the Transforming UK Food Systems SPF Programme |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | ur contribution highlights the barriers to recruitment, visa sponsorship and mobility for seasonal workers. Significant concerns have emerged as recruiters have moved from recruitment predominantly in Ukraine to other countries where there are local unethical recruitment practices. |
| Description | evidance submission to Select Committee Enviroment, Food and Enviroment to special inquiry on labour shortages in farming and food |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://tinyurl.com/5y4j39jj |
| Description | evidence to DEFRA led review on hortuculture |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | evidence to supplementary evidence to Select Committee Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | informed and contributed to the DEFRA-led Evidence Base |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | letter from DEFRA sugests that "The findings from research were used extensively in our Evidence Base work on the Use of Seasonal Migrant Labour in the Edible Horticulture sector undertaken in collaboration with policy colleagues in Defra and Home Office. The report supported the Evidence Base work and made it better informed, changing the understanding on specific concerns for example country hopping and the push and pull factors for seasonal workers. This is useful in understanding the sustainability of current recruitment models globally and to profile the mobile workforce of domiciliated and visa holders in UK farming." |
| Description | Labour Shortages in Food Systems |
| Amount | £48,900 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Food Standards Agency (FSA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | The workings of the accommodation offset |
| Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Low Pay Commission |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2022 |
| End | 01/2023 |
| Title | COVID Tracker, outbreaks in agri-food sectors (workfrorce) |
| Description | Outbreaks* in the food system highlight the fragility of food supply chains and the vital role played by workers in these industries which tends to be particularly reliant on migrants. Whilst workers in food industries, including seasonal migrant workers, were qualified as essential workers they continued to go to work to ensure the agri-food supply chain continues to feed the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Outbreak Tracker maps out outbreaks at the regional level and across three industries: fruit and vegetable farms, meat factories and fish and seafood factories. Link: https://feedingthenation.leeds.ac.uk/outbreak-tracker/ |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | the dataset available on the project website is open source and critical to understand outbreaks in agri-food system during the covid pndemic |
| URL | https://feedingthenation.leeds.ac.uk/outbreak-tracker/ |
| Title | Interactive Monitor- one stop repository of knowledge and data on seasonal workers |
| Description | This has been organised across a number of categories: • Agricultural workers trends throughout time, • Public opinion towards seasonal migrant workers, • Statistical overview of the seasonal migrant workers with T5 visa holders • Dynamic map of fruit and Vegetables grown in the UK |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This has been organised across a number of categories: • Agricultural workers trends throughout time, • Public opinion towards seasonal migrant workers, • Statistical overview of the seasonal migrant workers with T5 visa holders • Dynamic map of fruit and Vegetables grown in the UK |
| URL | https://feedingthenation.leeds.ac.uk/interactive-monitor/ |
| Title | curated bibliographies on seasonal migration |
| Description | thematic bibliographies on seasonal migration organised thematically the bibliographies will be of use to practitioners and academics who are interested in the specialised area of seasonal migration in agriculture Bibliography on Agricultural Migrant Workers (general) 2. Bibliography on the Health and Wellbeing of Agricultural Migrant Workers 3. Worker Replacement and Automation in agriculture. A bibliography |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | na |
| URL | https://feedingthenation.leeds.ac.uk/bibliographies/ |
| Description | Department for Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | My team and I met regularly (every 2 months) with DEFRA representatives in the Labour Supply Chain and Policy teams to understand the knowledge needs of DEFRA in the matter of seasonal migrant workers and to share the findings of the project as it progresses. For example, the questionnaires for the interviews that the team uses with migrants and workers have been co-produced with DEFRA. As the project develops, the rearch team shares the emerging results with DEFRA to inform to inform evidence-based policies to seasonal migration in agriculture in general and to contribute the national response to COVID-19 pandemic in particular. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As part of the regular meeting we have with DEFRA, the partners contribute by mapping out key areas of interest for the policy community. They also respond share information about new policies and the implementation of these new policies. The share with the research team DEFRA reviews in the area. |
| Impact | no output yet |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | New Europeans UK |
| Organisation | New Europeans |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The research team meets regularly with the partners at New Europeans to share findings of the project and support early interventions to benefit seasonal migrant workers. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The research team works closely with New Europeans to develop a series of bespoke multilingual support materials for seasonal migrant workers. New Europeans also contributes to the development of the project by prodiving expertise on the needs seasonal migrants workers who take on jobs in agriculture in the UK. The interview questionnaire have also been co-produced with the New Europeans. |
| Impact | none yet. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | 16 June 2021 The Global Food and Environment Institute (GFEI) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Roxana Barbulescu speaks to The Global Food and Environment Institute (GFEI) about 'Seasonal workers across borders: farming needs, COVID19 pandemic and immigration after Brexit'. Youtube recording https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i-6RRCAoUY&feature=emb_logo 73 view |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i-6RRCAoUY&feature=emb_logo |
| Description | 23 June - British Sociological Association Food Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 23 June - British Sociological Association Food Conference On 23 June 2021, Dr Bethany Robertson will present at the British Sociological Association Food Group Conference, Food & Food Systems in a time of Insecurity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://britsoc.co.uk/events/key-bsa-events/bsa-food-study-group-conference-food-food-systems-and-ti... |
| Description | Agriculture and the Rural Economy at the Welsh Governance Centre University of Cardiff |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Agriculture and the Rural Economy Agriculture and the Rural Economy in the frame for Governance After Brexit seminar Brexit and Covid-19 have transformed the context for Welsh and UK agriculture, and have changed the dynamics of the rural economy. This seminar, hosted by the ESRC's Governance After Brexit Programme and Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre, will hear from three major ESRC funded research projects that interrogate different aspects of the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector and the rural economy. Professor Daniel Wincott, seminar convener said: "Agriculture and rural economies across the UK face fundamental changes after Brexit. The Covid-19 pandemic has also posed deep challenges for agriculture, while the sector has played a key role maintaining food supply throughout. At this seminar, leading researchers will present on these key issues." Presentations will focus on three topics. Firstly, the Covid-19 pandemic posed additional challenges around seasonal migration and food security. Drawing on their 'Feed the Nation' project led by Dr Roxana Barbulescu, Dr Bethany Robertson of the University of Leeds and Dr Carlos Vargas-Silva of COMPAS at the University of Oxford will analyse these issues. Dr Ruth Little and Dr Judith Tsouvalis-Gerber of the University of Sheffield will then present findings from their 'Agri-Environmental Governance Post-Brexi' project, including an exploration of DEFRA's new approach to Environmental Land Management. Finally, the potential of Geographical Indications of Origins as a means of preserving and strengthening food heritage and supporting producer growth and rural economies will be examined by Professor Stephen Roper of the Enterprise Research Centre at Warwick Business School, drawing on the results of his project on 'English Champagne? and Geographical Indications'. This online seminar, hosted by Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre, will be held from 13.00-14.30 on July 2nd 2021, with registration available at this link. Share this story People Dan Wincott Professor Daniel Wincott Blackwell Professor of Law and Society |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/2527593-agriculture-and-the-rural-economy-in-the-frame-for-gover... |
| Description | BBC Radio 4 Farming Today, interview with Dr Bethany Robertson 4th of August 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC Radio 4 Farming Today, interview with Dr Bethany Robertson 4th of August 2022 about the collaboration with the folk music duo Pedler and Russell |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | COVID-19 Outbreak Tracker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The COVID outbreak tracker has been developed with the private company Netsells. The tracker allows the general public to identify the COvID-19 outbreaks in the food system by UK region. The map is interactive. The tracker distinguishes between reposted cases in meat processing, fruit and vegetables farming and packing and fish and seafood. The data illustrated here comes from original research from national and local news papers during the first 18 months of the pandemic. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://feedingthenation.leeds.ac.uk/outbreak-tracker/ |
| Description | Centre for Migration Studies, University of Warsaw. The 'Mobility and the pandemic - a year later' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 13 May 2021, Roxana Barbulescu presented to the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Warsaw. The 'Mobility and the pandemic - a year later' online seminar investigated how the pandemic has reshaped the mobility of people. Dr Barbulescu draws on findings from the Feeding the Nation project to focus on seasonal farm workers who were classed as 'essential workers'. webinar available on youtube, 94 views |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNvZCqsjT-o |
| Description | Communication to key research users of prelimenary findings, updates in the area in a bespoke a monthly policy bulletin |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The bulletin has been positively received by key research users including the Select Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union, RH Hilary Benn and LIO Head Unit for Forestry and Food and Agriculture Mrs Mariangel Fortuny. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
| Description | Council for Europeanists Studies Annual conference 22 June 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On 22 June 2021, Dr Roxana Barbulescu will present to the as part of the Imagining and Politicizing Migrants, Identities and Borders panel. Her conference paper is entitled "Understanding Seasonal Migration in Agriculture in Pandemic Times: Evidence from US, UK, Spain, and Italy". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Givernance after Brexit inaugural Research Insights webinar by UK in a Changing Europe on Friday 5th November. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Governance after Brexit Inaugural Research Insights webinar by UK in a Changing Europe on Friday 5th November. Roxana Barbulescu and Carlos Vargas-Silva will present in the inaugural Research Insights webinar by UK in a Changing Europe on Friday 5th November. They will draw on ongoing Feeding the Nation research to discuss Migration after Brexit through the experiences of seasonal farm workers. Join the online event at 1pm here. recording available on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv7Wa30zeg0 578 views |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv7Wa30zeg0 |
| Description | Global Food and Environment Institute Symposium 22 July 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Roxana Barbulescu and Bethany Robertson were invited to speak to the Global Food and Environment Institute at their Symposium on 22 July 2021 - an interdisciplinary event which showcases research about food and agriculture happening at the University of Leeds. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Interactive dashboard on Seasonal Migration |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | through a collaboration with the private company Netsells, a specialised dashboard was designed and upload on the project website. The role of the dashboard is to help raise awareness and improve public understanding of the phenomenon of seasonal Migration in the British farming. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://feedingthenation.leeds.ac.uk/ |
| Description | Launch of song with folk duo Pedler Russell at Sidmouth Music Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | co-produced song with folk duo Pedler // Russel The song was launched at the Sidmouth Festival Folk Festival in East Devon on 30 July, 2022, https://sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk/ The song was released on the same day online via YouTube. Listen to the song on YouTube here or on Pedler // Russell's website festival link https://sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/1591/folk_duo_pedler_russell_team_up_with_researchers |
| Description | Museum Exhibition: Migrant workers hidden rural mobilities @ The Museum of English Rural Life |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | UK farming relies on seasonal migrant workers to plant, harvest and pack fruit and vegetables. Over 90% of seasonal workers in the UK are migrants. Yet, they tend to be a hidden community across rural spaces. In previous exhibitions-on raspberries and strawberries-illustrations by Sarah Hannis showed the work of migrants and their role in food production from farm to fork. This final instalment shows the physical mobility experienced by seasonal migrant workers, during farm labour as well as in the transitions as they arrive, depart, and move between crops and farms. These stories are based on interviews with workers and on photos they shared during the Feeding the Nation research project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/online-exhibitions/seasonal-migrant-workers-mobilities-uk-farming... |
| Description | Museum Exhibition: Summer on a Strawberry Farm @ The Museum of English Rural Life |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Digital exhibition hosted by the Museum of English Rural Life with water and ink illustrations by Sarah Hannis and curated by Ollie Douglas. The exhibition was timed to the Wimbledon finale to showcase the lifes of strawberry farms where many seasonal workers live and work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/online-exhibitions/migrant-workers-summer-on-a-strawberry-farm/ |
| Description | Relations with the environment and migrant experiences in NI Festival of Social Sciences, Queen Belfast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | How do relations with the environment intersect with ethnic minority and migrant experiences and identities in Northern Ireland? About this event This interactive event will bring together individuals, community groups, civil society organisations, policymakers and researchers to discuss the ways migrant and minority ethnic members of NI society: make proactive contributions to activism and philanthropy locally and globally about environmental concerns; engage in good environmental practices for the purposes of wellbeing, enterprise and environmental justice; share insights from those who are in/directly impacted by environmental issues, including migration from global climate change; access, participation and exploitation within agriculture, particularly in terms of how those relations are affected by Brexit, the hostile environment, and the purchase of land in a context where farms are often inherited. Through this discussion, it is hoped that fertile ground will be laid for future co-curated research and cross-fertilisation of ways in which to promote inclusive practices within, and with, diverse communities. Speakers and audience members will be encouraged to identify important areas, research questions and partnerships to bridge the current academic research gap about the environment, which was identified in the project report, 'Collation and Mapping of Research related to Migrant and Minority Ethnic Matters in Northern Ireland produced within Northern Ireland's Universities' (Lubit & Belluigi, 2021). This event is hosted by the MME Council in partnership with Queen's University Belfast. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/insights-and-intersections-ni-ethnic-minorities-and-migrants-relation... |
| Description | Social media channel -active Twitter account weekly curated by the project team |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Through the social media channel the project enages with the industry, third sector organisations, journalists as well as the wider public. Since establishing the account in November 2020, the channel has build a solid audience and dissemination network, has accrued 170+followers and reaches 4.2k impressions in a 28 day period. Key stakeholder who followe the account are: academics and similar ESRC/UKRI COVID Papid Response projects BBC Farming Today Fairwork Foundation European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFATTU) Love Fresh Beries -the industry body British Summer Fruits Organic Growers Alliance |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/FeedingNation |
| Description | Symposium 'Cost of Living Crisis and the Low Pay Commission' (student focused, Univ of Leeds) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | presentation of the Low Pay Commission on campus for undergraduate students in social sciences at the University of Leeds. The symposium reviews the work of the LPC particularly in the context of the cost of living crisis and it had a section for undergraduates to translate your studies for the civil service. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | University of Cambridge Brexit and Migration Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 'UK immigration post-Brexit: policy issues and effects on migrants and migration' at the University of Cambridge on Wednesday 1st December 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.humanmovement.cam.ac.uk/events/uk-immigration-post-brexit-policy-issues-and-effects-migr... |
| Description | Welsh Goverment: private presentation of findings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | private meetings with representatives from the Welsh Goverment from departments of immigration, tourism, agriculture and Brexit |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | evidence for UK consultation on Global Compact for Migration, IOM and ODI May 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | contribution to the UK voluntary report for the Global Impact on Migration. our contribution focused on problems with the rights regimes of the migrants of T5 seasonal workers visas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | exbihition of a set of illustration Museum of English Rural Life |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | online exhibition with the Museum of English Rural Life https://merl.reading.ac.uk/ coordinated lauch between the Museum, University of Leeds and University of Oxford |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/ |
| Description | international virtual workshop 'Migrant workers in agriculture, sustainability and justice in Europe and UK' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/sociology/events/event/1250/migrant-workers-in-agriculture-sustainability-and-justice-in-the-eu-and-uk Co-organised by the University of Leeds and Cornell University, this international workshop invites experts and practitioners to discuss migrant worker programmes for agriculture in Europe and the UK. Migrant workers make up a significant part of the food and agriculture sectors in contemporary Europe and the UK. The recent Covid pandemic brought to the fore the contribution of migrant workers and shed new light on their working conditions, access to a limited bundle of rights as temporary migrants, and rising inequalities at destination and at origin. Seasonal worker programmes for agriculture are some of the oldest immigration routes in developed countries and they continue to attract almost a million migrant workers in Europe and the UK. Agricultural work is seasonal, low paid with minimal social rights and in remote geographical areas. Furthermore, in the wake of COP26 the environmental crisis and commitments to net zero posit new questions about the sustainability of local food systems to which seasonal migrant workers are recruited annually. Whilst recruiting from the domestic workforce is difficult, even during times of historical low unemployment levels as we observe in the COVID-19 pandemic, seasonal workers have become critically dependent for ensuring locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables. On the eve of transformational change in agriculture responding to environmental concerns and scaling automation, this international workshop will bring together experts and practitioners from Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Romania, the UK and the US for a renewed conversation on the migrant worker programmes for agriculture in contemporary Europe and the UK. Organisers: Dr Roxana Barbulescu, University of Leeds and Dr Johanna Schenner, Cornell University. Registration Register to attend After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Programme Opening 11.00 (GMT) Welcome from Dr Roxana Barbulescu (University of Leeds) and Dr Johanna Schenner (Cornell University). Opening remarks Professor Louise Waite, Director of Leeds Social Sciences Institute, University of Leeds Panel One 11.30 - 13.00 (GMT) Chair: Professor Carlos Vargas Silva Dr. Albin Dearing, European Agency for Fundamental Rights Dr. Charlotta Hedberg, Umea University, Sweden Dr. Natalia Ollus, European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control Dr Pietro Cingolani, University of Bologna and FIERI, Italy Coffee break Panel two 13.15 - 14.15 (GMT) Chair: Professor Shannon Gleeson, Department of Labor Relations, Law, & History, Cornell University Prof Martin Seeileb-Kaiser and Dr Cecilia Bruzelius, Tubingen University, Germany Dr Remus Anghel, University of Babes Bolyai and University of Bucharest, Romania Dr Frederic Decosse and Charline Sempere, University of Sheffield and Laboratoire d'Économie et de Sociologie du Travail, CNRS, France Coffee break Panel three 14.20 - 15.40 (GMT) Chair: Dr Johanna Schenner Dr Berta Güell, CIDOB Spain Dr Roxana Barbulescu and Dr Bethany Robertson, University of Leeds, UK Professor Pawel Kaczmarczyk, Dr Kamila Fialkowska, Dr Kamil Matuszczyk Centre for Migration Research, University of Warsaw Poland Dr. Vladimir Bogoeski, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands 15.40 - 16.00 (GMT) Anna Little, Journalist, BBC Countryfile |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | onlin exhibition with Museum of English Rural Life 'Migrant workers the rasberry planter' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | we are yet to track the engagement for this activity with our partners at the museum |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | presentation Sustainable Places Institute, University of Cardiff on Friday 10th December |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | online event with the Sustainable Places Institute, University of Cardiff on Friday 10th December from 12:30 about the future of food and place-based research with focus on agricultural labour and drawing on emerging findings from Feeding the Nation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | talk at Annual Low Pay Commission conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | presented the findings of the project for the annual Low Pay Commission conference in September 2022 In particular we have focused on seasonal workers on National Minimum Pay/ Living Wage and impact on earnings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |