FergusonMemo1

-network analysis of industry and stakeholders -interviews with critical stakeholders -State/national policy analysis ||  New Institutionalism Institutional isomorphism Social Movements Alternative Pathways Industry and culture. || I know the new instituttionalism is a pretty big deal right now, particularly in STS. Many groups are talking about biofuels and how much of a mess these can be, I haven't seen anywhere near as much attention paid to bioplastics. Since the industry is still young I want to understand it as early as possible to hopefully keep some pathways open long enough to take hold. || presently working with an individual that is attempting to put together the beginnings of a bioplastic market in New York. -have been working with Abby on the topic for the last 6 months or so writing bi-weekly memos on books, articles and other thoughts as they come up. || I hate plastics and consumption. I'm also deeply skeptical of large multinations taking over this industry like they did with recycling and making it less than desirable. Best bumpersticker "the more you know the less you need" ||  || -NSF -perhaps some industry money -HASS -Resources for the Future has a variety of relevant fellowships and grants related to environmental policy and resource usage. || Environmentality social movements consumer education overconsumption technological fixes Industry and culture || I'm intrigued by ostensibly similar environmental movements and how they can clash. In this case recycling and bioplastics, potentially both good for the environment don't mix well. Part of this also has to deal with the institutionalization of the pro-recycling environmental movements and how the messages have been lost in the privatization of recycling and what alternatives might be lost in this process. I also think that agriculture is going to become increasingly important as ag goods will be looked at as alternatives to imported feedstocks, fuel and food. || -similar to above || Not much different than above. ||  || -NSF -Morris K. Udall Environmental Public Policy & Conflict Resolution Ph.D. Fellowship || -I might be able to do a quantitative look at the relative 'greeness' of the goods and services between traditional corporations and worker cooperatives. -Site studies of at least two worker cooperatives and two corporations with sustainable goals (ideally these would all be in similar markets) - || democratic governance standpoint epistemology sustainable economy localism capital aggregation New Institutionalism || Localism seems pretty hot right now and cooperatives have a tendency to aggragate together and form alternative markets. The volatility of global markets and failing trust in financial institutiions are opening up avenues for alternative practices. Some very large investment institutions are using democratic practices in workplaces as a criteria for investment. || -very much not prepared. I have some deeper knowledge about democratic theory and workplaces with Ned, but not with this particular lens. || Too few people own too much. I don't like the alienation from ones work and workplace. I've worked in a number of different settings and I've seen better decision making when workers expertise and experiences are included in management decisions. I'm a socialist of sorts. ||  || -NSF -Ford Foundation Fellowship on Asset Building and Community Development -HASS -maybe Kettering Research Position for Doctoral Candidates ||
 * Topic || Data Sets || Social Theoretical Questions? || Why Now? || How Prepared? || Bias? || Fields of Work? || Funders? ||
 * -Bioplastics A: horizontal across industry || -site visits to several companies, including manufacturers, distributers, and investment sources
 * -Bioplastics B: vertical from cradle to cradle/grave || -Likely I'd do a comparison between two states or a state (most likely California) and a smallish country (most likely Italy). The comparisons would require a short sociohistorical look at using ag feedstocks for industry, cultural components surrounding farming, food, environmentalism, sustainability, security from global markets, waste, consumption, and recycling among other items. After this I'd have to interview and interact with the stakeholders from each tier of the commodity chain. || Commoditification
 * -Cooperatives and new economies || -history of cooperatives and ownership