In the 1977, we, a group of women students and graduates, mostly in Rural Sociology, founded the so-called ‘Boerinnengroep’, which translates as ‘farm women’s group’[1]. The Boerinnengroep has contributed to new agendas of farmer and rural women’s organisations, agricultural policy and academia. It has also put, in a way, a strong imprint on our lives and careers. In this blog we look back. Continue reading
Category Archives: General
75th Anniversary: 18) On Eros, Rural Encounters and Local Responses: Rural Sociology’s 25th and 50th anniversary
Since Wageningen rural sociology celebrates its 75th anniversary, this implies we had two previous anniversaries: the 25th and the 50th. At both occasions, anniversary books were published.
Images and Realities of Rural Life (click on the title to get access to the book) was published at the occasion of 50 years Wageningen rural sociology. Edited by Henk de Haan and Norman Long, the anniversary book offers “a sample of recent work by sociology staff members and sketches out possible future trajectories” (Haan and Long 1997: vii). The book does not look back, as claims to reputation should be built on achievements, and not on the past, the editors state. “Ancestral rituals have their function in strengthening the sense of identity among current staff members and students, and may also serve as an historical claim on the present and future existence of a robust sociology in Wageningen”, yet the identity and standing of sociology in Wageningen, the editors contend, should be constructed on current “research profile, thinking and academic performance” (ibid.). Continue reading
Sign up now! A Global Sense of Place: inclusive place-based development (course)
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MSc thesis opportunity: Sustainable Food Systems Research for Impact
Duration: 6 months
Language: English
Credits: 33-36 ECTS (programme dependent)
Start Date: As soon as possible
Are you passionate about food system transformation? We are looking for students to review 20 years of practical case studies, which have been conducted for international research and innovation projects, and to follow up on key cases of food system transformation, looking at success and failure. Your job will be to dig deep into real-world examples of people, organizations and networks that are trying to change our food systems. You will identify trends, opportunities and challenges and drawing on sociological theories, you will analyse the data to help advance our understanding of food system transformation.
The supervision team includes:
- Professor Han Wiskerke, Chair of RSO
- Dr Jessica Duncan, Associate Professor in RSO
Eligibility:
- MSc student from MDR, MID, MOA, MCH and MFT who wish to work on an RSO thesis.
- Candidates should have a strong interest in food system research and a passion for social justice.
- Candidates should have good knowledge of (and preferably experience with) qualitative research methods, in particular document analysis and interviewing.
- Very good organizational skills and experience/interest in developing databases is an asset.
If interested please contact jessica.duncan@wur.nl
75th Anniversary: 17) Multifunctional farming in development: education at the care farm
Multifunctional farming (an umbrella term to indicate a combination of agriculture and services to society, wur.nl) has been a research subject for the Rural Sociology Group for decades, as multifunctionality is one of the diversification strategies employed by farming to sustain their farms and connect with various groups in society such as consumers or tourists. The first multifunctional activities were nature conservation, agritourism/recreation, care farming, farm shops/short chains, farm education and agricultural day care. These activities, however, are subject to constant change. This leads to new research topics and new collaborations for the Rural Sociology Group. Continue reading
