Spotlight Lecture #3

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School

Queens University *

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Course

111

Subject

Anthropology

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

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Uploaded by lolo345436

Post-viewing this week’s spotlight lecture featuring Dr. Mathilde Tissier, it is prevalent that the application of sustainable agriculture involves foundational use of the scientific method. To recap, Dr. Tissier outlined human effects on land cover and the domination of such spaces. Next, she explained how intensive agriculture and urbanization has affected native species; ranging from farmland birds in the UK and domestic hamsters in France. Delving deeper, she took us through her research on vitamin B3 deficiencies in certain small mammals like hamsters and how certain food sources (field crops) affected their reproductive rates and maternal behaviours. Using all her findings and teamwork, Mathilde transformed her observational studies to action; helping local farmers change their practices to benefit the natural environment and their own work. The most important takeaway for me was seeing the amount of collaboration involved in turning simple hypotheses to action plans. Throughout, Mathilde reinforced the understanding that science has limitations in opportunity (who understands it, change in info), thus, long-term application of change must involve all stakeholders from the start for mutual comprehension. Moreover, comprehension must go farther than those involved internally. For example, Mathilde says her research group provides public awareness in the form of educative devices (websites, posters, etc.). Connecting to environmental themes, having accessible information helps the individual to get involved, boosting ecological citizenship. Hence, Dr. Tissier’s work is an example of building equity through collaboration which is something we ought to take note of. As for personal career aspirations, I could not see myself working in data collection portion of her work, solely for the fact that I am not an applied science kind of person. The social-environmental portion, such as working with farmers and creating action plans does spark my interest. Personally, I want to work in the global-food system sector and am assured that I will be working with scientists like Mathilde in the future. In addition, I do see myself working in other countries, just as Mathilde did, and bringing learned information back here for further analysis and local application. One of my future goals is to help countries achieve food sovereignty, including Canada, by reducing vast industrial agriculture and trading it off for local and urban farming. For me to do, research like Mathilde’s will be necessary for ensuring reciprocity to land, the animals, and the people is maintained. All in all, this spotlight lecture was captivating, leaving me feeling more educated on the importance of crop diversity, the vitamins within them, and how they affect animal health (e.g., bee parasite levels). The focus on bumblebees near the end was the most interesting to me. It reminded me of a problem- solving competition I competed at in elementary school that had us think of ways to “bring back the bees”. Learning that the bees are in fact back, but need less human intervention and more protection, affirms my interest in the environmental studies sector. Overall, I am left grateful for Mathilde’s work, her activism through awareness, and the inspiration she has given me to continue along my path. Sustainability is not an easy feat, but this demonstrated that through science we can uncover applicable solutions; all that is left then, is motivation and some open-minded people.

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