Exploring Boundaries, Constructs and Communities in Human Food Practices Online Scoping Symposium 19th and 20th May 2021

Registration is via Eventbrite. 

This HARI-funded online symposium - open to all RHUL staff and students - provides an opportunity to explore intersecting perspectives on constructs of the inedible, indigestible and unpalatable across historical periods and contemporary cultures, and across the School of Humanities and the College. Our discussions will range across and beyond:

• Ideologies, constructs and representations of the unpalatable, indigestible and inedible and their roles in exclusion from and inclusion in communities
• Crossing the boundaries of food and ‘non-food’ (in times of crisis; as part of sustainable development; in cross-cultural interactions; as a nutritional or medical regime)

Bringing together, celebrating and cross-fertilising intersecting research interests across the Royal Holloway community, we will explore the value judgements, power relations and cultural and economic imperatives that fuel perceptions of what is edible or inedible, palatable or unpalatable, raising questions of sustainability, integration, conflict and competition.

Examining the constructs involved in questioning perceived boundaries between food and ‘not-food’ as they shift across periods and geographies, and are reflected in representational, cultural and ideological practices, the symposium will act both as a scoping exercise and as a showcase for current and prospective research as well as for the work and interests of our undergraduate and postgraduates.

To optimise participation, a variety of contributions will feature: pre-recorded and live; short formal papers and flash presentations; a roundtable, ‘Questions of Consumption and Sustainability’ and a keynote address, ‘'Ice, Nature and Culture' , from Professor Klaus Dodds (Geography), College Lead on the Sustainability and Thriving Communities catalyst.

Participants:

Edward Armston-Sheret (Geography); Laszlo Bogre (Biological Sciences), Kate Cooper (History); Jenni Cole (Biological Sciences); Ruth Cruickshank (LLC); Klaus Dodds (Geography); Rebecca Feghali (Media Arts); Natasha Fox (LLC); Helen Gilbert (Drama, Theatre and Dance); Sophie Gilmartin (English); Liz Gloyn (Classics); Olga Gourinova (Media Arts); Jane Hamlett (History); Judith Hawley (English); Andrew Jotischky (History); Renee Landell (LLC); Stella Moss (History); Katy Mortimer (History); Heathcliff Newman (LLC); Ivica Petrivoka (PIR); Giuliana Pieri (LLC); Deana Rankin (English); Erica Rowan (Classics); Danielle Sands (LLC); Jack Wright (English)

Highlights:

Plenary paper: Klaus Dodds (Geography), 'Ice, Nature and Culture' 

Short Paper Panels: The Food Group; To Eat or Not to Eat?; Questioning Constructs of the Unpalatable, Inedible and Indigestible; Questions of Consumption: Constructing Boundaries and Communities

Round Table: Questions of Consumption and Sustainability

Open Discussion: The Next Course?

Organisers: The Humanities Food Group

Ruth Cruickshank (LLC) Ruth.Cruickshank@rhul.ac.uk

Judith Hawley (English) J.Hawley@rhul.ac.uk

Andrew Jotischky (History) Andrew.Jotischky@rhul.ac.uk

Stella Moss (History) Stella.Moss@rhul.ac.uk

Erica Rowan (Classics) Erica.Rowan@rhul.ac.uk

Katy Mortimer (student coordinator) katy.mortimer.2017@live.rhul.ac.uk