YOU on campus – Writing a book on insect policy

© Didi de Vries

Paganizza first came to Wageningen in 2012. At the time, she was a PhD candidate at the Università di Ferrara in Italy, and spent three months here at the Law and Governance Group. ‘I really enjoyed the time I spent here so I took the opportunity to come back here in 2014. That was for another research project.’

She has since become a researcher at the Italian Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia. Additionally, she took on the role of advisor in food law, where she focuses on European policies concerning insects in food and animal feed. ‘The fun part of my research is that it is such an untouched field’, says Paganizza. ‘Not many people do research about eating insects from the perspective of law.’ She does not eat insects herself, as she is a vegetarian. ‘An insect is also an animal, so I don’t eat them.’

The fun part of my research is that it is such an untouched field

Valeria Paganizza

At the moment, Paganizza is writing a book on her research; the book will be published in October. ‘I came to Wageningen to finalize my book and I would also like to meet some people to talk about the topic.’

Paganizza would like to enter a tenure track once she returns to Italy at the end of August. ‘But there is a competition to become a professor and I am really young to become a professor. I am not sure I will succeed, but I will make an attempt. And if I don’t manage, I will at least continue my work as an advisor.’

Bicycle

Despite her busy work weeks, Paganizza still has enough time for hobbies. Besides working, she also cycles large distances. ‘My parents live in a small village, approximately 66 kilometres away. In the weekends, I go by bike on Saturday and back on Sunday. And I like to paint. I started painting as a child in primary school. Sometimes, I feel that I need to paint; my fingers just want to paint and I have to stop working.’

Previous YOU on campus:

• YOU on campus – less work, more volunteering

  Organisation – 01 August 2017 11:00-The university campus is quiet during summer, but that does not mean nothing is happening. Annemerel Mol is a PhD candidate in Environmental…

• YOU on campus – Harvesting bulbs on your knees

  Organisation – 28 July 2017 16:00-The university campus is a lot less crowded during summer, but that does not mean nothing is happening. Plant research during this season cannot…

• YOU on campus – a green start

  Student – 25 July 2017 12:00-It is quiet on campus during summer. Many students are away on vacation. But not everyone is. Erik-Jan van Oosten (29) might have finished his…

• YOU on campus – enjoying the workshop

  Organisation – 21 July 2017 15:00-The university campus is a lot less crowded during summer, but that does not mean nothing is happening. Hidden in a corner of the parking lot of…

• JIJ op de campus – vol inspiratie de zomer in

  Student – 18 July 2017 10:00-De campus loopt leeg in de zomervakantie. Veel studenten gaan naar thuisthuis of Verweggistan. Maar niet allemaal. Sanne Swinkels schrijft haar…

• YOU on campus – One last day of rearing insects

  Student – 14 July 2017 15:00-The university campus is a lot less crowded during summer, but that does not mean nothing is happening. The care for insects is one of those…