Dominic Glover

Some experts think that edible insects could be a good option for sustainable protein production and consumption, and one of the keys to global food security in a world of nine billion people or more.

We used the methods of Foresight to explore the potential of insect-eating within four different future scenarios. Interestingly, edible insects featured as a plausible part of all four imagined futures. This suggests that eating insects might become mainstream in a few decades. However, questions remain about the economic viability and food safety of insect-based foods. Research into these questions is necessary and justified.

This document reports on the findings of a small project in which we used the tools of Foresight to think about the potential of edible insects to contribute to global food security in a future global food system.

It has been proposed that edible insects could make a significant contribution to global food security in the future. Researchers have documented more than 1,900 species of insect that feature in human diets around the world and many have been identified as having the potential to provide healthier and more sustainable alternatives to conventional livestock and animal feed. To consider the potential contributions of edible insects in the future global food system, we undertook three activities: a literature review; an online guided discussion with stakeholders, incorporating a questionnaire; and a Foresight scenario exercise with stakeholders involved in the fields of entomophagy, nutrition, food security, public health and regulation.

This document reports the observations and insights collected through these methods, as well as reflections on the utility of Foresight exercises as a way of exploring future scenarios.

In two widely cited articles, the first of which was published almost 30 years ago, the anthropologist Paul Richards described the situated practices of small-scale farmers as a type of performance, akin to a musical or theatrical performance (1989, 1993). This definition, applied specifically to small-scale and subsistence agriculture, has a powerful appeal for good reasons. This article examines performance as a conceptual framework and tool for studying small-scale farming practice and technological change. Taking the comparison with musical or theatrical endeavour seriously, the article explores the dynamics of performance by individuals and groups; considers alternative ways of conceiving the 'stage' and the 'audience'; and examines the nature of the performers' skills and competence, through an elaboration of key concepts such as practice, rehearsal, repertoire and improvisation. The article also discusses the important implications of a performance being situated in a particular time and place, shaped by its surrounding socio-cultural and ecological context and conditioned by uncertainty. The article proposes that ethnographic or technographic methods are appropriate for studying performance, and considers the ethical responsibilities of the researcher when intervening in a performance from its outside. The argument is framed as a contribution to political ecology, especially an ecology of practices.

L'anthropologue Paul Richards, dans deux articles souvent cités (un publié il y a près de 30 ans), a décrit les pratiques des petits agriculteurs comme un type de performance, s'apparentant à une performance musicale ou théâtrale (1989, 1993). Cette définition, qui s’applique spécifiquement à l’agriculture de petite taille et de subsistance, a un attrait puissant - pour de bonnes raisons. Cet article examine «la performance» en tant que cadre conceptuel et outil pour étudier les pratiques agricoles à petite échelle et le changement technologique. Pour prendre au sérieux la comparaison avec l'effort musical ou théâtral, l'article explore la dynamique de la performance par des individus et des groupes; considère d'autres manières de concevoir «la scène» et «le "public»; et examine la nature des aptitudes et compétences des interprètes. Je le fais en élaborant des concepts clés tels que pratique, répétition, répertoire et improvisation. L'article aborde également les implications importantes d'une représentation se situant dans un lieu et une époque donnés, façonnée par le contexte socioculturel et écologique qui l'entoure et conditionnée par l'incertitude. L'article propose que les méthodes ethnographiques ou technographiques conviennent à l'étude de la performance et considère les responsabilités éthiques du chercheur lorsqu'il intervient à l'extérieur d'une performance. L'argument est présenté comme une contribution à l'écologie politique, en particulier une écologie des pratiques.

En dos artículos citados ampliamente, el primero publicado hace más de 25 años, el antropólogo Paul Richards describió las prácticas locales de los agricultores a pequeña escala como un tipo de performance parecido a una representación musical o teatral (1989, 1993). Esta definición, aplicada particularmente a la agricultura a pequeña escala y de subsistencia, tiene un poderoso atractivo por razones justificadas. Este artículo examina el performance como un marco conceptual y una herramienta para estudiar la práctica de la agricultura a pequeña escala, así como el cambio tecnológico. Tomando seriamente la comparación entre el musical y la representación teatral, el artículo explora las dinámicas del performance de individuos y grupos, considera formas alternativas de concebir el "escenario" y la "audiencia", y examina la naturaleza de las habilidades y competencia de quienes realizan el performance a través de la elaboración de conceptos clave tales como práctica, ensayo, repertorio e improvisación. El artículo también discute las importantes implicaciones de un performance situado en un espacio y un tiempo particulares, configurados por su entorno, contexto ecológico y socio-cultural, y condicionado por la incertidumbre. El artículo propone que los métodos etnográficos y tecnográficos son apropiados para estudiar performance, y considera las responsabilidades éticas del investigador cuando interviene en el performance desde el exterior. El argumento está configurado como una contribución a la ecología política, especialmente a una ecología de las prácticas.