Food Futures in the Anthropocene: Place-Based, Just, Convivial

8-10 November 2020

University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia

CALL FOR PANELS, PAPERS AND WORKSHOPS

Abstract submission deadline: 31 April 2020

Confirmed keynote speakers include:

• Joshna Maharaj, Toronto (Chef, TEDx Speaker & Author of Take Back the Tray)
• Prof. Sharon Friel, ANU, Canberra (Editor of Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems)
• Dr. S. Margot Finn, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Author of Discriminating Taste)
• Dr. Marvin Montefrio, Yale-NUS College, Singapore (Author of ‘Cosmopolitan translations of food and the case of alternative eating in the Philippines’)

Emerging discourses of the Anthropocene and its critics constitute attempts to grasp a new understanding of reality: the deep and reciprocal enmeshment of daily human practices with Earth’s vital life-support systems. For scholars of food studies and systems, the planetary impacts of high-input monocultures, land clearing, food miles, labour exploitation, retail monopolies, unethical advertising, obesogenic environments and food waste are only some of the issues to be overcome to resolve the profound economic, ecological, social and cultural crises in the twenty-first century and realise a flourishing co-existence for ourselves and the species with whom we live and eat. Employing inter- and transdisciplinary methodologies and building on ‘circular’, ‘just’, ‘slow’, ‘local’, ‘convivial’, ‘healthy’ and ‘sustainable’ food concepts, the emerging discipline of food system studies is uniquely positioned to answer questions about the nature and meanings of such enmeshments as well as offering imaginative yet feasible solutions. How do we make sense of the food futures to come? What new ways of eating well and convivially are there? How can lessons from the past help us navigate increasingly uncertain food futures? What food governance arrangements—politics, policies, regulations—will overcome unconscionable inequalities and deliver food justice? How is and should food be represented in the media? These are just a few of the questions this conference will grapple with.

Situated in Northern Tasmania’s iconic, Kanamaluka/Tamar Valley and the historic City of Launceston, Food Futures in the Anthropocene invites contributions that critically reflect on the nature of food systems that are socially, economically, politically, culturally and technically attuned to place, foster food security and justice, and serve to unite rather than divide communities through convivial food experiences.

We are especially interested in papers that address the following themes:

• Histories of food and place
• Food media/mediating food
• Policy, politics and political economy of food
• Food regulation and governance
• Conventional and alternative food cultures
• Healthy and sustainable food systems
• Food security, justice and sovereignty
• Food literacy and education
• Indigenous food systems
• Convivial food systems

Postgraduate students are strongly encouraged to participate.

Submit your abstract for papers, panels, workshops and other presentations via the conference website by 31 April 2020.

Notification of acceptance is expected by early June 2020.

All enquiries can be directed via email to: FoodFuturesAnthropocene@utas.edu.au