Insects as Food and Feed: delivering sustainable protein to the food system

Date: Thursday 9 October 2025 (09:15 – 16:30)

Venue: Elm Grove Conference Centre, The University of Roehampton: Home – Roehampton Venues

Listen to informative talks around the subject of insect protein, the benefits, ethics and issues surrounding the rearing of insects, their uses in pathology, industry, agriculture & farming, cattle feed and protein for human and non-human animal consumption.

Topics include:

• Ethics of entomophagy: insect protein within the UK landscape
• Nutritional value of insect protein in animal feed and human food
• Application of insects/insect protein in food and feed formulation

The Insects as Food and Feed Special Interest Group (SIG) is slightly different from other SIG’s as it aims to offer a focus for an emerging industry rather that an area of study. As part of the Society’s Grand Challenges in Entomology, the Insects as Food and Feed SIG brings together a diverse range of people from across this embryonic industry such as scientists, farmers, food technologists, lawyers and chefs to examine the vast range of possibilities offered by insects as a novel source of protein for both human and livestock consumption and more.

This annual event will report on current research and industry innovations, plus offering open discussions with informed panels and opportunities for informal talks and networking. Anyone with an interest in the area is welcome to attend.

There will be an opportunity to meet informally for drinks and food after the event, and more information will follow closer to the date.

In Partnership with Michelmores: The Michelmores Sustainable Agriculture practice is dedicated to working with businesses whose technologies and practices are tackling the most pressing issues facing the agriculture sector: climate change and biodiversity loss.

We thank the Insect Welfare Research Society (IWRS) for support through a Small Meetings Grant.

Programme

Keynotes speakers:

Prof. Jonathan Birch, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience, the LSE

Talk title: The Minds of Insects and Why They Matter

Jonathan is a Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience at the LSE. In 2021, he led a Review of the Evidence of Sentience in Cephalopod Molluscs and Decapod Crustaceans that led to invertebrate animals including octopuses, crabs and lobsters being included in the UK government’s Sentience Bill.

In 2024, Jonathan published The Edge of Sentience: Risk and Precaution in Humans, Other Animals, and AI. 

Dr. Jo Gould, Assistant Professor in Food Sciences, The University of Nottingham

Talk title: Talk Title: Insect protein functionality for structuring food products  

Jo holds a BSc in Food Science and Nutrition and a Ph.D in Food Science from the University of Nottingham. Her Ph.D research focused on understanding the functionality and applicability of cocoa particles as a natural particulate emulsifier. Following on from her Ph.D, in a postdoctoral research role with the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacture in Food, Jo continued research into natural particulate emulsifiers confirming the role of lignin in the emulsifying properties of cocoa particles and utilising existing processes in the bioenergy industry to create hydrophobic natural Pickering particles from food waste.

Jo was appointed as an Assistant Professor in Food Science at the University of Nottingham in September 2017 and is part of the Food Materials Science Group. Research focuses on incorporating sustainable sources of protein – insect and plant proteins – into food microstructures, by understanding the relationship between processing – functionality – safety of an ingredient.

Prof. Tim Parr, Professor in Nutritional Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Nottingham

Talk title: The nutrient composition of insects: determining factors that influence nutrient composition for feed and food

Tim is a Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry from School of Biosciences and the Food Systems Institute at the University of Nottingham. His research examines metabolic adaptations which production animals can undergo to enhance nutrient production efficiency and quality.    

His most recent published research has been working on projects examining how manipulation of insect’s diet effects their growth and their nutrient body composition, and how adaptable this is. 

Ben Brown, Co-Founder & COO, InsectBiotech

Talk title: Optimising Black Soldier Fly larvae use: waste residue conversion as the future of feed

Ben is a seasoned entrepreneur and operational leader with over 20 years of experience as Chief Operating Officer across multiple industries, including healthcare tech, manufacturing, and CRM. He successfully built and exited several start-ups, combining strategic insight with deep financial expertise.

Originally trained as a marine biologist, Ben brings a unique blend of scientific rigor and operational acumen. Ben holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi, and B.Sc & B.Comm from the University of Western Australia.

Exhibition

If you are interested in exhibiting at this event, please contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk

Convenors

• Daniel Amor – daniel.amor@bristol.ac.uk
• Kieran Robertson – krobertson05@qub.ac.uk

Registration

Registration for in-person attendance is now closed, but there are still a few places available. Please contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk for more information. There are significantly discounted rates for RES members, so if you are not a member already, consider joining today!

To access discounted member rates, you must be logged into your account before registering.

Attending the Insects as Food and Feed Conference qualifies for 6 BASIS CPD points, supporting your continued professional development. A sign-in sheet will be available at the event.