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Geography

Agroecology field school

Sophia Carodenuto inspecting tree growth in Belize

Are you looking to participate in an international field school that explores the intricate connections between food, culture and the environment? The agroecology field school involves a week-long immersion on diverse cacao farms in Belize where you’ll explore sustainability challenges underpinning today’s global food systems.

Course description

GEOG 491: Global Food Systems Sustainability in Practice
Instructor: Dr. Sophia Carodenuto
1.5 credits

This semester-long course will invite students to contemplate sustainability challenges underpinning today’s global food systems. Students will be connected with community research partners in Victoria and Belize. Using agroecology as a lens, we will study the complex relationships between food production, consumption, and conservation.

Agroecology is a framework that emphasizes reciprocal learning with farmers and place-based communities. Applying this agroecology lens, students will engage in hands-on and student-led research projects and witness the trade-offs and synergies between ecologically sustainable agriculture, economic empowerment and social equity and the various forms of power shaping global food systems.

Key themes:

  • agroecology
  • global food systems
  • research-enriched learning
  • community-engaged research
  • tropical forest conservation

Eligibility

  1. Students must have third- or fourth-year standing.
  2. This field school is designed primarily as a capstone experience for senior undergraduate students who are interested in learning about how sustainability is applied in practice. The selection committee will consider applicants based on a variety of factors, including prior courses, engagement in student life and work experience.
  3. This field school includes an immersive experience in a remote area of tropical rainforest in Belize. It will involve outdoor activities that will at times be physically demanding, such as hiking, camping, hot weather and exposure to insects. Applicants must be aware of these conditions and mention if they have any accessibility needs that may affect their ability to participate in these activities.
  4. We ask applicants to answer some questions. This will help us assess their fit and what they could contribute to the learning and community-engaged experience.

How to apply

Application for the 2026 field school with be release Fall 2025. Contact geography@uvic.ca or carodenuto@uvic.ca if you have any questions.

Fees

Students pay regular UVic tuition plus field school fees. Field school fees can be paid by cheque, money order or cash only. Make cheques and money orders payable to the ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

You can drop off payment at the geography main office (David Turpin B203). Or, you can mail it (cheques and money orders only; no cash).

Field school fees

  • $350 deposit due with application
  • $1500 due by December 12, 2024

Field school fees include:

  • dorm-style accommodation for the duration of the field school
  • meals for the duration of the field school
  • transportation between locations
  • activity costs (entry admissions, local facilitators and guides, park entry fees)
  • compensation (and travel expenses) for guest lecturers and knowledge holders

Field school fees do not include:

  • tuition
  • airfare to and from Belize International Airport (BZE)
  • travel insurance
  • other expenses such as any personal gear (e.g. hiking shoes) required for the course

These field school fees have been subsidized by the Department of Geography. There may be more funding through scholarships and financial aid or the International Centre for Students.