My research focuses on processes of change in agriculture and food (agrifood) systems, and in particular, the spatial nature of agrifood system politics: calls for local or regional agrifood systems, in opposition to global agrifood systems. My research explores these spatial claims about the value of local or regional systems, the importance of small-scale farms, and the responsibility we have to trade fairly with others in the global supply chain.
Within this broad area, these are two interests that structure my research:
- The role of constructions of place, nature, environment and rurality in alternative agrifood politics Although the alternative agrifood movement frames its objectives in terms of agricultural sustainability and food justice, specific constructions of place, nature, the environment and rurality play significant roles in forming visions for future agrifood systems. I explore the political expression of these constructions in my doctoral research.
- Agrifood systems and sustainable urban design at the rural-urban interface Food is central to the relationship between urban and rural areas. Many rural areas are undergoing rapid and unsustainable change, often closely linked suburbanization and exurbanization, under the influence of metropolitan areas. I am interested in exploring new ways to embed and value agricultural production in land use planning, both in rural areas, and in the city.
current projects
I am currently in the third year of the PhD program in Geography at Clark University, and am working on the following projects:
- I am in the initial phase of my doctoral research project, which works with leaders of alternative agrifood movement organizations in Massachusetts to explore visions for transformative change in our agriculture and food systems. The project is funded by a Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement grant from the National Science Foundation.
- I am working as a Research Assistant for a project exploring the management of residential landscapes in suburban human-environment systems. This research is part of the Human Environment Regional Observatory (HERO) at Clark University, an NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site. I am currently leading the development of a manuscript for publication exploring the results of our research in suburban Boston with parallel projects in Miami and Phoenix.
- I am working on several writing projects, including a contribution to an edited collection that focuses on dietary advice, for publication in Ashgate’s Critical Food Studies series, and papers developing the theoretical background for my doctoral research for presentation during 2012 at the AAG and SfAA conferences.
Click on the links in the sidebar for more information about my current projects.
background
In August 2008 I completed the Masters by Research in Human Geography course with the Institute of Geography at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with distinction. Further information about my masters research exploring the politics of alternative food network localism is available here.
I completed my first degree at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, graduating in June 2007 with an MA (hons) First Class in Geography. In my final year, I completed a review essay exploring political ecology and carried out research for my dissertation entitled Moving Towards Sustainable Energy Provision: Two City-Scale Case Studies.