Lab Retreat: Environmental Social Sciences Writing Workshop October 21–23, University of California Natural Reserve System (UPDATE Due to a system failure, our original application was not properly processed. We are therefore re-applying retrospectively to ensure that our research retreat from October 21–23 is accurately documented.) We propose a three-day writing retreat at the University of California Natural Reserve System to synthesize and advance our research at the intersection of migration, labor, and food systems. Over the past 18 months, our fieldwork has traced the ecological and social circuits of German asparagus, Spanish oranges, and California strawberries — from cultivation and transportation to consumption — revealing the hidden interdependencies that sustain these global food networks. The retreat will provide dedicated time to write up our findings and begin theorizing how ecological dynamics, such as climate variability, soil and water pressures, and greenhouse environments, shape and are shaped by the embodied experiences of migrant workers, supply chain actors, and consumers. Immersed in the Reserve’s unique ecosystems, our team will engage in structured writing sessions, peer feedback, and conceptual discussions to generate manuscripts and refine our theoretical frameworks on human–environment relations.

Approved