With the rapid expansion of the craft beer sector globally, the organization of hop production is changing in producing countries. We seek one or two MSc students to conduct a primarily qualitative study on how interrelated social, economic and ecological dynamics shape sustainability outcomes (broadly conceived) in a rapidly expanding and changing industry. Potential topics of focus include the role of plant breeding and new varieties, trade-offs between cooperative vs competitive relationships, and how changing beer markets are influencing how people produce, sell and use hops. Potential frameworks include STS, Assemblage Theory, Global Value Chain Analysis and Political Economy. Students may choose to complete fieldwork and data collection in one of the target countries of New Zealand, UK, Belgium, US, and Germany.

Photo by ELEVATE on Pexels.com

Pre-requisites:

• You have some training in qualitative methods and critical social theory
• You have a keen interest in the sociology of agriculture, food systems, sustainability, food politics and/or foodscapes
• You are willing to develop fieldwork-based methodologies
• You have completed at least two social sciences courses, preferably with RSO
• You are eligible to do your thesis with RSO

Questions? More information? Email mark.vicol@wur.nl