What We Do

The Regular Writing Workshop

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STSFAN has held regular monthly meetings for workshopping members' draft papers since 2020. We have fostered a space for cultivating an intellectual and inclusive community among scholars whose work engages in critical questions related to food, agriculture and technoscience. STSFAN's workshop style originated with the Yale Agrarian Studies program. For each workshop, one member (or a group of members) provides a work-in-progress paper, ideally not too polished, to the rest of the members up to a week in advance. Those attending the workshop are expected to read the paper in advance and come prepared with questions or comments. At the beginning of the workshop, the author(s) are given a chance to frame the paper and raise issues they would like to hear about. Then, for the next 45 minutes, the author(s) remain silent as the rest of the members discuss the paper among themselves. During this period participants refer to the “author” or the paper, but never “you” or the author’s name, almost as if the author is or a fly on the wall. Instead, they treat the paper as an artifact worthy of consideration in its own right.  This passive role for the author allows the author to hear how others receive the paper without defensiveness or a need to respond. After this discussion has reached exhaustion, or time has run low, the discussion is opened back up to the author to use however they want. They might respond to questions raised, defend their choices, or ask for further clarification about ways to improve the paper.

 

The focus on intellectual work, rather than the author themselves, or their credentials, changes the tone of the discussion. The work-in-progress nature of shared material makes workshop discussions much more generative, allowing for the open deliberation of others that may bring the paper into other directions one may not have considered before. Further, since many members come from different disciplines, cultural contexts and academic cultures, members learn the value of considering other approaches, and to reflect and better articulate one’s own.

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The Slack Channel

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Many members appreciate the Slack channel as a communication platform that allows for spontaneous sharing of relevant articles, images, grant opportunities, teaching materials, publications or other informal engagements. Unlike an email list-serv, topics are easily grouped and searched thematically, contributors can tailor their notifications, and sub-groups can be formed for specific conversations. Sharing interesting tidbits or opportunities and celebrating each others’ achievements provides a steady stream of ongoing engagement with STSFAN which can be accessed if and when desired. Please contact us to become a part of the Slack channel. 

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Other STSFAN Activities

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• STSFAN members have organized sessions and panels at 4S (Society for Social Studies of Science) and AAG (American Association of Geographers) conferences.

• STSFAN members are collaborating on a Special Issue for the journal Agriculture and Human Values: this special issue will include a Field Report which will detail the experiences of members and the value it provides.