Why We Eat What We Eat

Food Writing, Social Science & the stories behind the plate

Food is so much more than just nutrition, calories, or personal choice. Food is shaped by culture, family, class, migration, memory, markets, health messages, gender, place and power. Every plate carries stories about where ingredients come from, who produced and prepared them, how knowledge travels, and what particular foods come to mean. ‘Why We Eat What We Eat’ is a public Social Sciences Week event bringing together food writing, storytelling, tasting and social science. Through short, accessible talks and creative activities, participants will explore food as a form of cultural expression, a community practice and a meeting point between people, environments and technologies. Singer-songwriter Luke Escombe, creator of The Vegetable Plot, will join us as our special guest, opening up playful ways of thinking about plant foods, nutrition education and public engagement. Photographer and food writer Lucy Leonardi will share some food for thought, literally, by creating a tasting experience that will become a prompt for reflection and writing. With guidance from Macquarie University social scientists working on the Fresh Produce Bioactives project, participants will be invited to write a short piece inspired by the food they encounter. What histories, relationships, labour, environments and social meanings might be found in a single plate? No previous writing experience is required. Registration is required. The event is open to community members, students, educators, food lovers, writers and anyone curious about the hidden social life of food.

Time: Doors open at 6pm. Event starts at 6:15pm

Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Location: 10 Halloden Avenue, Macquarie University  

REGISTER HERE

This event is supported through a Social Sciences Week Spark Grant. The views, information and opinions presented by speakers and participants are those of the authors and presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Funding support does not constitute endorsement by the Academy of any particular views, findings, recommendations or organisations.

Macquarie University (the University) collects and publishes images of students, staff, and others to promote the University in its publications, on websites and in marketing material. Photos and/or video recordings may be taken of you at this event for this purpose. The University is seeking your consent to do so. Images of you may be considered personal information under privacy legislation. Information relating to the University’s collection, use, storage, and disclosure of personal information can be found on the Privacy webpages. You will still be able to attend the event even if you do not provide your consent to be photographed or video recorded.