Qualitative Study on Challenges Facing Farmers

Level: Undergraduate or Graduate 
Type of Position: Volunteer Research Assistant
Contact: Dr. Livia Stone, lkstone@IllinoisState.edu
Deadline: Ongoing

Challenges Facing Farmers is an interdisciplinary collaborative project examining the contemporary political, economic, social, and cultural challenges facing Illinois farmers and how they make sense of those challenges. It is a qualitative, ethnographic project that incorporates internet and archival research, interviews with farmers and other professional stakeholders, participant observation research, and first-person memories and accounts.

All research collaborators contribute to a central database of information that is then shared among the collaborators, each of whom have their own independent research questions. In some cases, students may assist one of the P.I.'s with their research questions rather than have an independent project. Opportunities exist for undergraduate or graduate students in any field who are seeking out a qualitative research project for a thesis, course project, or general research experience. No experience in ethnography, anthropology, or agriculture is necessary. Hours and duties are flexible depending on student's interests and capabilities. Students are particularly sought out who have an interest in how issues of race, class, and gender figure into the contemporary political climate of the US or who themselves grew up in agricultural communities in Illinois.