Conferences

Global Gateways and Local Connections: Cities, Agriculture, and the Future of Food Systems

Join us for the Joint 2012 Annual Meetings & Conference of the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS), Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS), & Society for Anthropology of Food and Nutrition (SAFN).

      




Co-hosted by New York University and  The New School


Wednesday, June 20th - Sunday, June 24th 2012
New York City 

About

As increasingly greater portions of the global population shifts towards urban environments, and cities position themselves as crucial hubs not only for food consumption, but also for its production and distribution, it becomes urgent for agriculture to reposition and reaffirm its strategic role in ensuring food security, access to governance, and acceptable livelihoods for all the actors involved. The theme of the conference highlights the need for more equitable and sustainable distribution of power and resources among various stakeholders, including those without a strong voice on the world’s stage, such as the urban and rural poor, farmers, and migrants. In line with the call for sustainable development and green economies at the core of the Rio +20 United Nations gathering, the conference offers an opportunity for scholars, students, activists, farmers, practitioners, and concerned citizens to come together and explore innovative solutions and alternative models for creative, culturally viable, and environmentally sound integration of urban and rural food systems.

New York University and The New School have been at the forefront of the research, methodologies, and pedagogies that have shaped Food Studies, and have explored creative venues of public engagement to establish vital connections and a constructive dialogue between academia, the local communities, and the larger debates at the national and global levels. We welcome not only scholarly sessions, but also encourage activists, government staff, farmers, and practitioners in food and agricultural systems to participate. Organizations, businesses, agencies, and publishers may also participate as exhibitors.

Call for Proposals

Although our organizations encourage a broad spectrum of topics at our conferences, we especially encourage papers, posters, panel sessions, roundtables, and workshops that speak directly to the theme from the cultural, social, and political points of view. We welcome not only academic sessions, but also strongly encourage activists, government staff, and those with practical knowledge of food and agricultural systems to participate. We welcome submissions on all aspects of food, nutrition, and agriculture, including those related to:

  • Art, Media, & Literary Analyses
  • Innovation & Development
  • Culture & Cultural Geography
  • Environment & Climate Change
  • Agroecology & Conservation
  • Ethics & Philosophy
  • Food Safety & Risk
  • Gender & Ethnicity
  • Globalization
  • History
  • Inequality, Access, Security & Justice
  • Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Heritage and Local Traditions
  • Local Food Systems
  • Pedagogy
  • Politics, Policies & Governance in National & Global Contexts
  • Trade and Legal Issues
  • Research Methods, Practices & Issues
  • Social Action & Social Movements
  • Sustainability
  • Science & Technologies

Deadline for Paper Submission is February 1, 2012.  Abstracts should be 100-150 words, and include 3-4 keywords.  Conference papers are not needed for submission of a paper/panel. 
Applicants whose papers or panels have been selected for inclusion in the conference will be notified on March 1, 2012 via email. 

Click here to submit an abstract or panel proposal.

Registration

Registration will begin on March 1, 2012.  More information coming soon.

Links

NYU Housing Options - coming soon!

Getting There

Around NYC

Contact for More Information

Please email foodconference2012@nyu.edu with questions or for more information.

To become a member of AFHS, ASFS, and/or SAFN, please visit the respective websites:

For more information about NYU Steinhardt's Program in Food Studies, please visit: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/nutrition/food/ma/

For more information about The New School's Food Studies Program, visit: http://www.newschool.edu/continuing-education/food-studies/