The Sciences of Food Studies at Indiana University

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Sawyer Seminar

Food Choice, Freedom, and Politics

This seminar, led by Richard Wilk and Peter Todd, has three parts. First, a year-long series of meetings among scholars will focus on food choice, decisions and diet. Participants will join from a wide variety of disciplines including anthropology, psychology, economics, geography, informatics, sociology, history, communications and culture, and political science. A second week-long conference will focus on developing new models for the growing field of interdisciplinary food studies. A third and final workshop will focus on translating academic research into public policy. Representatives of community food organizations and political representatives will attend. Conversations will focus on how to address issues of consumption, sustainability and public health.

As participants of this year long seminar led by Richard Wilk and Peter Todd, we represent some of the scholars who have come to discuss food choice, decisions and diet. We are composed of a wide variety of disciplines including anthropology, psychology, economics, geography, informatics, sociology, history, communications and culture, and political science. As part of our weekly discussions and biweekly presentations by experts in the field, this blog represents thoughts and reflections on the various food topics we will engage with throughout the semester. Please join us in the dialogue and our hopes to inspire and foster a healthy, sustainable and delicious future for everyone.