Recognising the migrant workforce behind Europe's food supply

👈 Lefties tend to be leftist

Europe Edition - Today's top story: Crisis de Ceuta: la narrativa de la "invasión" de migrantes pone en peligro el suministro alimentario y la economía de Europa August 27, 2026 Europe Edition   A new research project tracing the food sold across Europe and the US sheds light on the overlooked role and experiences of the migrant workers upholding Europe’s food supply, and begs the burning question of whether Europe needs walls or workers. Alongside a swathe of legislative measures aimed at boosting Europe’s circular economy and doubling its current circularity rate to 24% by 2030, learning communities are playing a vital part in getting reuse and recycling initiatives off the ground as part of the shift to a resource-efficient, low-waste economy. And finally, being a left-hander comes with equal parts pride and prejudice. In a predominantly right-handed world, going about our business inherently means going against the grain. Now add politics in the mix and find out why, according to eyebrow-raising research, lefties are more inclined to vote left.   Carly Lock Editor, Paris   Crisis de Ceuta: la narrativa de la “invasión” de migrantes pone en peligro el suministro alimentario y la economía de Europa Diana Tung, Universitat de Barcelona; Seth M. Holmes, Universitat de Barcelona; ICREA; University of California, Berkeley Los trabajadores migrantes son fundamentales para el sector agrícola español, pero a menudo pasan desapercibidos.   Europe recycles just 12% of the materials it uses. Here’s how training can accelerate the transition to a circular economy Marina Schmitz, IEDC-Bled School of Management; European Academy of Management (EURAM); Mirjana Matešić, IEDC-Bled School of Management; Mislav Ante Omazić, IEDC-Bled School of Management Learning communities are supporting circularity across Europe by rethinking processes for recycling waste or reconditioning clothing and vehicles, and navigating policy U-turns. Left-handed people tend to be left-leaning voters Jérémie Bertrand, IÉSEG School of Management; Caroline Perrin; Laurent Weill, Université de Strasbourg A study across 18 western countries has found that left-handed people sit on the left of the political spectrum and the data suggests it has more to do with identity than biology.   The free EU database that tells you if an appliance is actually green Lala Rukh, University of Galway; Atlantic Technological University Data beats greenwashing. How a simple QR code connects you to a massive European database that exposes fake sustainability claims in seconds. Volodymyr Zelensky’s other war: Ukraine’s endless struggle with corruption Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham; Tetyana Malyarenko, National University Odesa Law Academy Corruption has plagued Ukraine for its whole history as an independent state.   The law of the innocents: Ireland’s medieval precursor to the Geneva conventions Chris Doyle, University of Galway How a seventh-century monk drew up a blueprint for modern international humanitarian law. Why salty food is so appetising when you’re by the sea José Miguel Soriano del Castillo, Universitat de València Sense, sweat, memory and culture all play a part in our craving for salty food at the beach.   Women in politics face more personal, sexualised attacks than men, a recent analysis shows Arianna Sala, Joint Research Centre (JRC) 71% of the toxic messages we studied were directed at female candidates. What has the return-to-office movement taught us? People, not technology help companies get ahead Dr Dino Dogan, European Academy of Management (EURAM) Bringing employees back to work in person and smart office-based people management drives companies forward and is conducive to engineering change. Here’s how. The Mocha monopoly: how Yemen’s dominance of the global coffee trade birthed the Houthi rebels Ibrahim Al-Marashi, IE University; California State University San Marcos For centuries, the world’s entire coffee supply flowed through one Yemeni port. Women can lead with both heart and mind. Here’s why compassionate leadership matters now Mine Karatas-Ozkan, European Academy of Management (EURAM) Compassion is an underrated leadership strength among both men and women, and research shows it is an asset that is key to efficient team management, particularly in challenging times.     You’re receiving this newsletter from The Conversation The Conversation France (assoc. 1901) 14, rue Sainte-Cécile 75009 Paris