New ideas!

It's been a while since I have written on this particular blog/subject. I have new ideas floating around in my head 1) because I have formed a new direction for my research and 2) because I have to WRITE now that I am on tenure track :-)

While I have shifted the aim of my research idea(s), I haven't particularly lost track of the important issues involving CAFTA/DRCAFTA/NAFTA. I still believe that these "acts" have done nothing more than exploit the already down-trodden. Who have they benefited? Ah, there's one research question! The next two things that have intrigued my interest is the whole idea of how buying local impact local economy and the farmer's market as a social network & the idea of "sense of place." In conjunction with these areas, my interest has peak in the area of participatory research methods. From what I gather, participatory research methods is much like participant observation mixed with field study. My question here, of course, would be reliability - always the statistician. I might even question the validity but I think I can work through these issues. Now, how can I pull all of this together?

One thing I do plan to do is start collecting data on my maiden voyage to Belize in January, 2010. Apparently, the Belize project participants from WKU began an expenditure log of everything they purchased in Gales Point, a remote island in Belize, in past trips. I'd be interested in seeing the economic impact of WKU students and faculty spending money in the village during their two-week stay. I think since there are about 450 folks in the village, it would make a great, manageable case study for what it means to be a locavore.

In terms of professional development that will aid in my research, I plan to become a degree-seeker again! In the fall I will begin the environmental health & safety graduate certificate program at WKU as well as find a J.D. program that specializes in environmental law (particularly one that concentrates on social justice issues). I think both of these programs will make me a better scholar, plus I'll be armed and dangerous with way too much EDUCATION!