Two environmental anthropology research opportunities related to food security and sustainable agriculture are now open and hiring. One investigates alternative food systems in Baltimore, MD and the other explores farmer preferences to produce for Guam's local market.
Project Title: Urban Foodways: Mapping the Networks of Gardeners, Farmers, Foragers, and Fishers
Applications open for part-time student research assistant position. Sept 15 best consideration date.
Project Description: Join our exciting and hands-on project in Baltimore City, where we explore food self-provisioning (FSP) activities that connect diverse community agents and practices. From backyard gardeners and youth educators to on-shore fishing spots and pop-up markets, our research maps these vibrant networks, referred to as Alternative Urban Food Provisioning Networks (AUFPNs). As a student, you'll contribute to this dynamic project, engaging in activities that highlight communal harvests, mutual food aid deliveries, and more. For more information about the position, and to submit your cover letter and resume, click the link below.
Baltimore Alternative Food SystemsLinks to an external site.
Project Title: Guam Farmer Preferences in Growing for Island Markets
Applications open for one Fall position as a research assistant. This position is unpaid but can be completed for internship or independent study credit. Sept 8 is the best consideration date.
Project Description: Like many small, tropical islands in the Pacific, the US territory of Guam is highly dependent on imported food. Prior to WWII, the island was self-sufficient but agricultural production has declined precipitously due to a number of cultural, economic, ecological, and political reasons. Currently, Guam imports 95% of its food, making food security a top priority.
For the past year, our research team has been interviewing farmers, agricultural policy makers, and agricultural-food security experts on Guam to learn more about the challenges farmers face in growing food for the local island market, as well as the benefits Guam’s island community could gain from local food production. As a student research assistant, you’ll contribute to this dynamic and applied project to build out island food security. Your primary duties will be to prepare interview transcripts for analysis, conduct text analysis with our team, contribute to discussions about what these results mean, and assist with the development of an online, follow-up farmer survey. For more information, see the attached job description.
Please submit your cover letter and resume at lshaffe1@umd.edu