Jordan became an Editor-in-Chief of Agricultural and Forest Entomology (AFE) in 2024, but has been a member (now Fellow) of the RES since his student days. AFE covers a wide range of topics, including research on insect pests, pollinators, and natural enemies in managed forests and agroecosystems.
Tell us a bit about the person behind the title Editor-in-Chief.
I started my life in the northeast of Scotland and, soon after, the Outer Hebrides, before slowly working my way down to the south of England. I’ve spent my career slowly working my way back north! Before settling on ‘molecular ecological entomologist’, I dabbled in artisanal soap design and manufacture, Cornish pasty sales, recruitment and (perhaps most enjoyably) milkshake making. Of these, entomology definitely suited me best.
How did your academic career develop, and what led you to entomology in particular?
I didn’t settle on a particular career direction until after my biology degree in which I begrudgingly agreed to a dissertation project on earthworms, which I grew to love immensely. Whilst extracting earthworms from the soil, I ended up covered in spiders, forcing me to confront and conquer my arachnophobia which I later realised I had learned throughout my life (I had actually spent a good amount of my childhood drawing and writing poems about spiders and insects). This newfound fascination motivated my postgraduate studies and I’ve been hooked ever since!
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love the feeling of contributing ideas and knowledge to the scientific community, but the satisfaction of mentoring and guiding others to do so outmatches this!
“Ever since I sneakily slept in my car (a poor decision I would not condone now for so many reasons) to attend the RES Postgraduate Forum as a master’s student, I have found a sense of belonging and community with the RES that I’ve not experienced anywhere else.
Witnessing the RES go from strength to strength over the last decade has been nothing short of inspirational and an absolute pleasure to be involved in.”
– Jordan Cuff
What is the best part of your role as EiC of your journal?
Guiding early career researchers through the process of publishing their first papers or conducting their first peer reviews is excellent – a vicarious joy! Being a small part of the history of one of my favourite journals and guiding its future directions is also exceptionally exciting.
What has been your most exciting or interesting research discovery, and why?
I am super excited about my research on spider nutrition, despite it taking a few more submissions than I expected to convince peer reviewers to share my excitement! We showed that the things spiders eat relate to the nutrients they contain, likely driving their preferences in the field. This required developing new lab protocols, data analysis methods and a whole lot of patience (altogether, it took eight years from inception to publication).
Who is your inspiration and why?
SpongeBob SquarePants – unlimited enthusiasm, energy and compassion (and his jelly fishing is definitely just entomology under the sea).
Many entomologists travel widely – what was the most enjoyable fieldwork location you’ve worked in, and would you recommend it for a holiday?
I have secured funding to do fieldwork in India, the Middle East and across Europe, but global pandemics, funder troubles and logistical challenges have meant that I’ve exclusively done fieldwork in soggy fields and forests in the UK! Of these, Windsor Forest was definitely the most magical (although the Northumberland countryside is a close second).
What’s your favourite insect and why?
Not an insect (although still a hexapod), but I have a lot of respect for Pogonognathellus longicornis, the largest British springtail. I wish I could coil unreasonably long antennae when disturbed.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to spin webs – imagine being able to put up a comfy hammock any time, any place?! Even better if I could balloon too!
What is the best piece of advice you received as an ECR?
Work with people you enjoy working with and keep the science fun!
Where are you hoping your research will take you next?
I would love to do some research beyond soggy fields and forests in the UK.
If you could wake up with any new skill, what would it be?
I would love to be able to play the tambourine.
Quickfire Questions
Jordan’s favourite:
- Place? Isle of Harris
- Food? Mango (sometimes including the skin)
- Drink? Genmaicha or a nice Speyside
- Book? On The Beach by Nevil Shute
- Song? Little River by Tallest Man on Earth
- Film? Recently, Past Lives
- Sport? I’ve always wanted to try extreme ironing
