Emerging Scholar Awards

Each year a small number of Emerging Scholar Awards are given to outstanding early-career scholars or graduate students. The Award offers complimentary registration and Network Membership. It provides a robust professional development opportunity for early career academics to meet experts in the field, interact with colleagues from other parts of the world, and create networks and lasting connections. In our model, we have two kinds of Emerging Scholars -- In-Person and Online Only. Across all formats, Emerging Scholars play a critical role in the conference by leading discussions and chairing parallel sessions and are offered a publication pathway for their research. This way, we can provide maximum exposure for this selected group of researchers.

Applications are open to those pursuing research degrees, post- and graduate students, as well as early-career faculty.

To apply, follow the link below. You may also view further instructions by selecting our "Step-By-Step Guide."

Final Deadline: 24 June 2025

2025 In-Person Recipients

For each conference, a small number of Emerging Scholar Awards are given to outstanding graduate students and emerging scholars who have an active research interest in the conference themes. Emerging Scholars perform a critical role in the conference by chairing the parallel sessions, providing technical assistance in the sessions, and presenting their own research papers. The 2025 Emerging Scholar Award Recipients are as follows:

Nadine Du Piesanie is a part-time lecturer in the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences at the University of Pretoria, with expertise in food literacy, engaging Generation Alpha, Consumer behaviour, large-scale food preparation, and product development. She is also a wine connoisseur with extensive experience in event management. Currently pursuing a PhD in Consumer Science, Nadine focuses on using gamification as a tool to engage Generation Alpha towards a more sustainable future through food literacy. Her research incorporates innovative elements such as gaming and eye-tracking technology to address malnutrition and foster autonomy. Her teaching philosophy integrates community engagement and theoretical knowledge with practical application, equipping students to navigate food systems and make informed, sustainable choices. Through her dedication to empowering future generations, Nadine aims to inspire a lifelong love for learning and sustainable practices.

Marina Fourie is a PhD student and emerging food industry consultant with a specialized focus on food marketing. Combining academic rigor with more than 10 years practical industry experience, Marina strives to established herself as a thought leader in understanding consumer behavior, branding strategies, and market trends within the dynamic food sector in South Africa. Passionate about sharing knowledge, Marina enjoys working as a part-time lecturer, inspiring students with her expertise and enthusiasm for the field. She believes in the power of education to transform the foodindustry, fostering innovation and sustainability while bridging the gap between academia and real-world application. When she’s not immersed in research or consulting, Marina enjoys exploring culinary trends, connecting with diverse cultures through food, and mentoring aspiring professionals in the field.

Tshegofatso Blessing Papole is a MSc Nutrition student at the University of Pretoria where her research topic focuses on investigating haemoglobin levels in relation to weight status and body composition of female university students. She completed her BSc in Food Management Nutrition from the University of Pretoria in 2023. During her final year in her undergraduate her mini research project looked into the importance of infant haemoglobin values and micronutrient intake during the complementary feeding stage. She has worked part time at her current university as a research assistant in the sensory laboratory as well as a research assistant involved in workforce nutrition intervention programmes that targeted in improving the nutritional status of women farm workers. She had also previously been a volunteer in her final year of her undergraduate at Well Being Africa which is an NGO that mainly focuses on nutrition education and empowering and supporting breastfeeding mothers. Currently she serves as a Y.E.S Learner at Nestlé in the nutrition department and she hopes to make a difference by contributing to nutrition in both academia and industry.

Miss Lilian Kafuko is a dedicated and driven doctorate candidate in Food Science at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, with a focus on profiling bioactive peptides in wheat flour fermented with Kluyveromyces marxianus. With a strong academic foundation, holding both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Food Science, Miss Kafuko is deeply committed to advancing food security and eradicating malnutrition across Africa. Their exceptional leadership skills have earned them multiple elected roles, representing student needs and fostering positive change. A Mastercard Foundation Scholar and multiple award recipient, Miss Kafuko combines academic excellence with a passion for sustainable development and community impact.

After graduating with a degree in Consumer Science from the University of Pretoria, she pursued a Master’s degree in Consumer Science, focusing on consumer knowledge about South Africa’s Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Consumer Science at the University of Pretoria. Her doctoral research explores the use of projective techniques in consumer research to uncover hidden motives behind grocery purchasing decisions.

Lesego Marule is an accomplished consumer scientist with a wealth of experience in food management across various hospitality industry sectors. She has contributed to the academic domain of hospitality, particularly in the design and development of tertiary-level qualifications and educational resources, serving as a head of a programme at The Independent Institute of Education. Her efforts are centered on applying her industry expertise to create curricula and content that ensure graduates are adequately prepared to meet the industry's evolving demands. As a researcher, Lesego’s work has focused on food safety, particularly, consumer perceptions. She holds a lecturing position at the University of Pretoria, where she is also pursuing a PhD in Food Management, investigating issues of food sustainability and innovative product development.

Ms Charmaigne Sehoole is an early career researcher and a lecturer in the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences at the University of Pretoria. She holds a master’s degree in Consumer Science: Food Management and is pursuing a PhD in the same field. Her doctoral research focuses on the consumer perception of indigenous pulses, thereby establishing a way to enhance their image and ensure they feature prominently in modern consumer diets. A true foodie at heart, her strong belief is that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, deserves access to healthy and nutritious food that meets their taste preferences.

Giulia Damilano graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the esteemed University of Pretoria in 2022. She is currently in the second year of her master’s degree, researching the impact of traditional African foods on the gut microbiome. Her work explores how these fiber-rich foods support healthy microbiota. Giulia has a strong interest in the field of genetics where she is working as a nutritional genetics consultant and has expanded her expertise by completing courses in methylation, sport nutrition and hormones. She has a strong interest in the function of micronutrients in the body how they can improve health. In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys cycling and sailing the open ocean. She is actively involved with Cycling South Africa, assisting at events and managing their social media content.

Maria is a PhD candidate in the Energy and Resources Group (ERG) and a member of the Critical Ruralities Lab. Her research draws from post-development studies, agroecology, and feminist political ecology to explore the meanings and possibilities of food and nutritional sovereignty in rural Mexican agricultural communities. For her doctoral project, she uses ethnographic and participatory methods to investigate the agrifood challenges and opportunities in the High Mixtec Region, challenging the dominant agricultural and development narratives in rural Mexico. Maria's work is driven by the possibility of co-envisioning pathways to equitable and just rural livelihoods. She approaches research as an interdisciplinary, grassroots, and socially committed practice. Prior to joining ERG, Maria earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and her Master of Development Practice from the University of California, Berkeley.

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Sujata is a Research Scholar in the Department of English and Cultural Studies at Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has completed her M.Phil from the same department, where her work engaged with regional folklore through the lens of translation and interpretation, emphasizing the cultural value of oral traditions. Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. and is a recipient of the UGC NET-JRF fellowship, awarded for academic excellence and research potential. Her research interests lie in the areas of folklore, cultural studies, translation theory, memory studies, and the intersection of literature with everyday cultural practices. She is particularly drawn to interdisciplinary frameworks that explore how narratives reflect and shape identity, tradition, and social realities. Sujata has presented her work at various national and international academic forums and remains committed to producing research that contributes meaningfully to the field of literary and cultural studies.

Munashe Catharine Kurehwatira is an emerging sustainability scholar focusing on food systems transformation. She lectures at Africa University in Zimbabwe and is currently pursuing a PhD in Rural Development at the University of Venda, South Africa. Munashe’s current research explores the intersection of food systems and disturbances in low and middle income countries. Through her work, Munashe seeks to generate evidence-based insights that will inform policies, strategies and interventions aimed at building more resilient and equitable food systems at both local and global levels.

Online Only Recipients

Sahar Tavakoli is a postdoctoral research fellow in Philosophy at the Università degli Studi di Milano, where she explores the role of food and food practices in shaping identities and national imaginaries. Her work is interdisciplinary, bridging Science and Technology Studies, Performance Studies, and critical approaches in philosophy and cultural theory to examine how subjects, culture, and the state co-constitute one another. She holds a Master’s degree in the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Sydney and a PhD in Science and Technology Studies—with a minor in Performing and Media Arts—from Cornell University. She is currently a researcher and collaborator on HORIZON RELISH, an EU-funded, cross-institutional project focused on food-based cultural legacies.

Ph.D. researcher specializing in ecology and environmental science. His research focuses on biodiversity conservation in Morocco, exploring the intricate relationships within ecosystems. He is committed to bridging scientific knowledge and practical conservation efforts, striving to develop sustainable strategies for human-nature coexistence. His work is dedicated to preserving Morocco’s unique fauna and flora, with a strong emphasis on harmonizing ecological systems with human activities.

In Their Words

It was such a tremendous learning experience as an emerging scholar at the Food Studies Conference. I enjoyed sharing my research with peers and industry professionals and I learned a lot listening to all the workshops and presentations.

Zoey Gong, 2022 Awardee

What I really enjoyed about participating in the conference as an emerging scholar was attending panel sessions that were not necessarily in my primary area of expertise or interest. Some of the presentations in the panels I moderated were in fact quite relevant to my surprise, and even the ones that weren’t were still super interesting and thought provoking, despite their disciplinary distance from my own research. I feel like I could truly appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of the conference in full because I was assigned to moderate panels that I probably wouldn’t have chosen to attend otherwise. The opportunity to network with other emerging scholars was also quite delightful, as the shared responsibility and experience bonded us better. I really enjoyed serving the conference as an emerging scholar and would love to return to future conferences."

Eunwoo Yoo, 2022 Awardee

It was an incredible experience to connect with scholars and professionals from various fields related to food studies. In addition, the conference gave me an excellent platform to showcase my research, receive invaluable feedback, and expand my network. As an Emerging Scholar, I could participate in interactive sessions and attend thought-provoking presentations that helped me gain new insights into the broader field of food studies. In addition, the Emerging Scholars program provided an excellent opportunity to engage with seasoned researchers and professionals in the field, exposing me to various publishing opportunities to showcase my research. Without hesitation, this experience has positively impacted my research and academic career, and I sincerely thank the Food Studies Research Network for allowing me this opportunity. I look forward to attending future conferences and supporting and encouraging other emerging scholars working in food studies."

Vaishali Sharma, 2022 Awardee

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Throughout my Food Studies scholarship period I have been given support and opportunities to learn, interact and enhance focused aspects of my research. Also, by sharing the academic environment with peers I have had the chance to exchange knowledge and sharpen skills. It has been a great pleasure to be part of it."

Ellen Gonzalez, 2022 Awardee

Food Studies Research Network