Promoting graduate education in geography to address gender disparities in agriculture through feminist approaches to international research-for-development projects

Keywords: International R4D, feminist geography, gender equity, agriculture, graduate students
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

As a learning community and academic resource, the Women and Gender in International Development program at Virginia Tech’s Center for International Research, Education, and Development (CIRED) works collaboratively with faculty, students, and partners around the world to address gender disparities in agriculture, natural resource management, food security, health and nutrition, and education. The WGD program promotes gender-responsive research in every CIRED project, ensuring that research and outreach activities are adapted to the needs and priorities of women and men and facilitate the development of more inclusive households and communities. Broadly, WGD research-for-development centers on two questions: 1) How do gender relations, norms, and attitudes affect the impact and outcomes of development projects and policies? and 2) How do development projects and policies affect gender relations, norms, and attitudes at the household and community level? WGD strives to be a leader in the global community of researchers and practitioners working to redress gender inequalities by producing and sharing knowledge on the gendered dimensions of development. This poster profiles three VT geography Masters students sponsored through the WGD program with USAID funding. It shares excerpts from their research on local soils knowledge, conservation agriculture, and feminization of agriculture with small-holder farmers in the Philippines, Cambodia, and Nepal using mixed methods approaches including participatory mapping, focus group discussions, and household interviews. Mentored by the WGD director (co-author Christie) in these interdisciplinary projects, students went on to diverse trajectories in education and professional opportunities with their work resulting in peer-reviewed publications.