ed harris, msc by research in human geography institute of geography, university of edinburgh local...

Ed Harris, MSc by Research in Human Geography

Institute of Geography, University of Edinburgh

Local Foods Research Projectexploring localism in alternative food networks

Postgraduate Conference 17-19 March 2008

Supervisors: Dr Paul Bennett, Prof Jane Jacobs, Dr Andrea Nightingale

Eating Locally, Eating Well…



© Google Maps 2008© Google Maps 2008

F I F E

Introduction



Alternative Food Network

Food production-consumption networks defined in opposition to conventional agri-industrial

food systems

Localism

Reflects the strong emphasis on localization as a strategy in

alternative food networks

Localism implies reconnection of producers and consumers

Localism often takes a normative form: ‘local = good’

How is ‘the local’ constructed as a space of opposition and empowerment in alternative

food networks?

The next fifteen minutes…

Background and context

Research design

Methodological approach

Progress to date

Research Context



Enactment of alternative food network localism

Politics of Scale Construction

Power

Diverse Understanding of

Economy

Neoliberalism

Theoretical Context 1



Neoliberalism

Individualist & entrepreneurial

Emphasises private property rights, free markets, free

trade

Neoliberalism as a powerful discourse, which can shape

individuals’ behaviour

Academics suggest alternative food networks can reproduce

neoliberal forms

(Guthman, 2007; Harrison, 2007)

Politics of Scale Construction

1. Scale is socially constructed

2. Scale construction is political

Academics studying alternative food networks are cautious of

claims about ‘the local’

Suggestion that this localism might be “unreflexive” or

“defensive”

(DuPuis & Goodman, 2005; Hinrichs, 2003; Winter, 2003)

Theoretical Context 2



Power

Power: central to understanding of scalar politics

and powerful discourses

John Allen: attention to modalities of power and to

spatial operation

Centred dominant power of conventional food systems??

‘Local’ as space of resistance/empowerment??

(Allen, 2003)

Diverse Understanding of Economy

Gibson-Graham: ‘economy’ has acquired singular meaning –

only capitalist economy counts

To recognise/enable alternatives, we must ‘read for

difference, not dominance’

Approach which ‘reads for difference’ will be able to see

‘politics of possibility’

(Gibson-Graham, 1996; 2006)

Research Design



How is ‘the local’ constructed as a space of opposition and empowerment in alternative food networks?

How is ‘the local’ constructed?

How is ‘the local’ performed?

How is power re-configured in this alternative local space?

• ‘Local’: constructed & political

• Politics of scale as performed

• Perceived opposition and/or empowerment are enacted

• Aims to test scepticism of academic critiques

• Aims for constructive critique

How do the research questions guide the design?

Methodology



What is discourse?

• “not just a set of written texts. A discourse encompasses texts, speeches, dialogues, ways of thinking and actions; bodily practices, habits, gestures, etc.

• “not just a series of things that are said and done regarding a pre-existing thing – gender, say. A discourse of gender is not ‘about’ gender: instead it creates gender, makes it really, actually exist as a consequential and meaningful set of beliefs, attitudes and everyday practices and performances.” (Wylie, 2006)

Discursive actions have political and ethical meaning

Discursive actions can be represented in different ways

Representations have political and ethical meaning

Alternative food network practices are political acts,

which can be represented in different ways, both by

activists and by academics.

Discursive representations of food politics affect the success

of these alternative practices

Case Study: the Fife Diet



The Fife Diet asks people to sign-up for eating fresh food from Fife, for a year, monitor their progress and share their experience• Bring people together who want to eat good local food• Boost the local community of food producers• Help each other re-learn how to eat seasonally• Celebrate the diversity of local food against the ecological insanity of transporting food around the world (http://fifediet.wordpress.com)

http://fifediet.wordpress.com/

Research Methods



1: Group Discussion

Focusing on construction and performance of the Fife Diet.

Using visual participatory tools, including mapping, diagramming in addition to

discussion.

2: Individual Interviews

Aim to produce narratives of personal involvement with Fife Diet.

Content based on development of group discussion phase; elaborating on the political changes made possible through involvement

with the Fife Diet group.

8 – 16 participants (dependent on

recruitment success)

Interviews with at least 8 participants

Potential difficulties:

• Recruitment success

• Negotiating timing of group discussion(s)

Progress to Date and Next Steps



Progress so far:

• Literature Review

• Paper exploring concept of sustainability

• Discussion paper for submission to Area

• Research project website & blog

http://localfoods.wordpress.com

March 2008

• Initial contact with participants

• Negotiate research schedule

April – May 2008

• Research meetings (group, then individual discussions)

June – August 2008

• Transcribe research recordings

• Analysis of research information

• Write research report (for 29 Aug)

• Feedback results to participants

http://localfoods.wordpress.com/

Summary



© Google Maps 2008

F I F E

How is ‘the local’ constructed as a space of opposition and empowerment in alternative food networks?

ed harris, msc by research in human geography institute of geography, university of edinburgh local...

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