Thesis subject

Strengthening self-organization and 'positive deviance' as a means of enabling endogenous potential for more regenerative, sustainable agriculture and food

This research call emerges from the findings of two recent PhD theses in the northern Ecuadorian Andes. Once a 'model of modernization', Sherwood (2009) shows how the application of state-of-the-art agricultural development there has generated second-order problems that ultimately undermine the environment and drive socio-environmental decline.

Meanwhile, working in the same area, Paredes (2010) identifies how in the context of modernization, farmers continue to diversify their practice, with certain 'farming styles' proving more regenerative, and sustainable than others, in particular through creative utilization of available knowledge and technology. In light of decreasing public investment in agriculture, the ‘Positive Deviance’ (PD) embedded in farming practice represents an un-tapped resource. We propose research aimed at addressing: How to understand and strengthen PD in food production and family nutrition in contexts of adversity? How PD can be strengthened through scientific backstopping to catalyze needed institutional change towards sustainability?

Objectives

To identify, describe and analyze heterogeneity embedded in the socio-technical practices in such areas as agriculture, circulation and nutrition as an under utilized resource for policy change towards more regenerative, productive, and socially equitable food systems.

Procedures

  • Join our team of MSc and PhD researchers working on different aspects of self-organization in Ecuador and elsewhere
  • Work our existing information as well as your complementary data to characterize practices in farm-level production as well as consumer and social movements and identify forms of divergence practice, in light of your own research priority
  • In-depth participant observation in family to generate ethnography on real-time socio-technical production of heterogeneity, with special attention to explaining the emergence of positive deviance


Experiences gained

  • Language skills in Spanish and/or Kichwa
  • Technical knowledge and experience in your thematic area of interest
  • Quantitative and qualitative research methods on social heterogeneity in agriculture, nutrition or food.
  • Production of an internship report or MSc thesis (and preferably a manuscript for a journal) in English and/or Spanish