Doctoral Dissertation Research: Societal Impacts of Biotechnology Innovations in Agriculture

This doctoral dissertation research project examines the factors that influence the adoption or non-adoption of biotechnological advances in agricultural production. Investigators specifically study how farmers and agricultural scientists manage enhanced food security and the preservation of biodiversity in the adoption of agricultural biotechnologies. Data collection includes interviews with and behavioral observation among research scientists and staff, agricultural workers, marketing experts, and farmers, with an emphasis on observations of scientist-farmer engagement. In addition to training a graduate student in anthropological science and expanding the US STEM workforce, broader impacts include collaborative, non-technical reports, outreach to farming stakeholders and other local food producers, and a digital archive of project findings for the public. The biotechnology focus on genetically modified agriculture contributes to environmental anthropology, the social science of agricultural technology, and NSF investments in understanding human adoption of biotechnology innovations. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.