Christopher M. Bacon



	Lecturer Departments of Latin American & Latino Studies and Sociology University of California, Santa Cruz – present Ph.D. Environmental Studies Department - 2005 Political Economy and Agroecology University of California, Santa Cruz B.A. Economics, B.A. Environmental Studies- 1995 University of California, Santa Barbara

My work investigates obstacles and opportunities for empowering sustainable community development in the Americas. I’m also involved in diverse collaboration focused on sustainability education, research and innovation. The processes of coffee production, trade and consumption have served as a material entry point into a deeper understanding of these issues. I draw from a combination of interdisciplinary theories to link global value chains and eco-labels to the vulnerability of coupled social-natural systems. Several mid-range concepts, such as livelihoods, gendered empowerment, and agro-biodiversity, reveal the effects of participation in more conventional and “alternative” agro-food networks. I am honored to be part of a dynamic team that uses a participatory action research approach to generate knowledge and identify avenues for positive social change. I have established long-term partnerships with farmers, marketing cooperatives, researchers, activists and specialty coffee entrepreneurs interested in the transition toward more sustainable societies. Dr. Ernesto Méndez has emerged as a core researcher partner in this endeavor.
These dialogues are advanced through research collaborations, publications, international shortcourses, exchanges, and advising. The infrastructure for this continued processes of action and reflection, or praxis, includes programs within the Universities of California and Vermont, non profits, such as the Community Agroecology Network (CAN) and the Center for Social Economy in Nicaragua, partner universities in Central America, and many others. I am also very grateful to the Switzer Foundation which has provided valuable support for different phases of this work.

Research interests: sustainable development, fair trade, political ecology, Participatory Action Research, empowerment, Agroecology, Nicaragua, Mesoamerica, coffee

Contact Christopher M. Bacon by email: christophermbacon@gmail.com