Research Focus Groups

The CRFS Research Focus Groups (RFG) program aims at bringing together faculty and graduate students with shared research interests from different colleges, fields, departments, and programs to foster the development of interdisciplinary research agendas.

Convened by individuals from at least two departments/programs, the RFGs meet regularly (at least three times a semester) during the academic year to present works-in-progress, read and discuss texts and current scholarship, and/or plan, develop and implement common research projects.

Eligibility

Applications must be made by two individuals from two different departments; at least one convener must be a faculty member in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS). Priority will be given to interdisciplinary projects that open new avenues of research.

Format

A central component of the RFG program is a commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration among UA faculty members and graduate students around common research goals and trajectories. At least half of the RFG’s meetings should be devoted to research-related events such as works-in-progress presentations by UA faculty and graduate students and discussions of new works in the field.

Budgets and Allowable Expenses

The maximum allowable request under this program is $1,000. The program will permit the following types of funding when adequately justified: reimbursement for travel costs associated with bringing collaborators and speakers to UA, expenses related to the costs of meeting, and honoraria for guest speakers. RFG funds should not be used for cosponsoring departmental speakers and events unless these events are central to the RFG’s work.

Support

The CRFS will offer some administrative and clerical work needed to advertise group events and to keep the groups running smoothly.

Evaluation and Review

A subcommittee of the CRFS Community Advisory Board will review proposals for their quality, their interdisciplinary nature, and their promise of significant results.
 
To apply, submit a detailed description of proposed activities (up to 2 pages single-spaced), including:

• The research interests of the group.
• The names of the conveners of the group, as well as the names of faculty and graduate students who have agreed to participate in the group and/or strategies for identifying and recruiting members.
• The activities planned for the year, specifying themes, topics, and materials that are likely to be covered. At least half of the RFG’s meetings should be devoted to research-related events such as works-in-progress presentations by local faculty and graduate students and discussions of new works in the field.
• Names of outside speakers (if any) who will be or have been invited.
• A proposed budget for the year’s activities.

Applications should be sent as a single PDF document by email to the Center’s Director, Megan Carney (mcarney@arizona.edu). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of the status of their proposal and funds will be available for groups shortly thereafter.

Academic Year 2025-2026

Cultivating Food System Resilience Project

In partnership with the Pima County Food Alliance and the Co-Design Collaborative, the Cultivating Food System Resilience Project Research Focus Group brought together a transdisciplinary group of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and community partners to understand emerging needs and opportunities in Southern Arizona’s local food system. The project includes faculty from the Department of Public & Applied Humanities, Health Humanities Hub, the School of Landscape Architecture & Planning, the School of Nutritional Sciences & Wellness, and the school of Geography, Development, & Environment. The ongoing project seeks to identify the impacts of recent federal-level changes including changes as well as how individuals and organizations have mobilized to meet current needs. Ultimately, it aims to identify priority actions to strengthen our local food system and make it more resilient. The Center for Regional Food Studies Research Focus Group Program provided support that enabled this group to collaboratively develop research plans and protocols, host data analysis parties, and brainstorm around action plans. As of fall 2026, collaborators have run a survey of food and agricultural organizations, conducted qualitative interviews with individuals and organizations impacted across sectors, and hosted participatory workshops to imagine a more resilient food system. They have begun drafting multiple outputs to share learnings from this project while also supporting PCFA in taking action.

Academic Year 2021-2022

Pima County Food Alliance and the UA Food System Research Lab

In 2021-22, the Center for Regional Food Studies’ research focus group program was awarded to the Pima County Food Alliance (PCFA) to support their new collaboration with UA’s Food System Research Lab. Established in 2011, PCFA is the only food policy council in Pima County and has been integral to advancing several key food-related policies in our region. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and its reliance on an all-volunteer staff has interrupted PCFA’s work in recent years. The research focus group program allowed members of PCFA and the Food Systems Research Lab to hold a series of meetings and visioning workshops during AY2021-22 to restart PCFA’s work. Together, members of PCFA and the Food Systems Lab successfully applied for a Thriving Communities grant from the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to revitalize and diversify participation in PCFA over the next two years, including several paid positions. The Food Systems Research Lab provides research and other resources to support the process of reinvigorating and refocusing PCFA’s important work in southern Arizona and linking it with state-level policy efforts spearheaded by the Arizona Food Systems Network. 

Academic Year 2018-2019

Food, Health, Wellbeing  

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The University of Arizona Food Security and Social Justice Network (FSSJN) Presents A Lunchtime Panel on Food, Health, Wellbeing  

Food Entrepreneurs Research Focus Group

From the farm to the plate, food entrepreneurs are the catalysts for building a more sustainable regional food system. The Food Entrepreneurship Research Focus Group was convened during the Spring 2019 semester to better understand how to support regional food entrepreneurs as they grow, develop, and connect to forge more sustainable enterprises. The group is lead by an interdisciplinary team: 

• Alissa Bilfield: McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship in Eller College of Management 
• Katherine Speirs: Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Laurel Bellante: Food Studies Degree in College of Social and Behavioral Sciences 

The group convened three Food Entreprenuership Research Focus Group Meetings throughout Spring 2019 among interested faculty, researchers, and community members. 

Food Security and Social Justice Network

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The Food Security and Social Justice Network (FSSJN) is a group of interdisciplinary graduate students interested in food and agricultural systems. The mission of FSSJN is to facilitate information-sharing, solidarity, and collaboration among food systems and social justice researchers and practitioners. During the Spring 2019 semester, FSSJN used funds from the CRFS Research Focus Groups (RFG) program to host three lunchtime seminars. During these seminars, graduate students studying an array of food themes had the opportunity to present on current and future research, with the goal of promoting collaboration, receiving feedback on research, and generating new ideas. Themes for the seminars included: Agriculture, Climate Change, and the Environment; Food Security, Food Aid, and Food Labor; and Food Health, and Wellbeing. Additionally, FSSJN members used funding to organize on off-campus writing and critical reflection retreat.