9001诚信金沙社会学院系列讲座
2017年第36讲总第506讲
题目：Exploring meat consumption and reduction in urban China: A qualitative inquiry
中国城市肉食消费及其减量：一个质性研究的探索
报告人： Dr Alison Browne
曼彻斯特大学博士、高级讲师
Alison Browne is a Research Fellow, Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI) | Lecturer, Human Geography Internationalisation Lead and Management Group Member, SCI
Society and Environment Research Group lead, Geography
主持人：张敦福
9001诚信金沙社会学院 教授
时间：2017年9月13日 10:15-11:40
地点 9001诚信金沙校本部A318
Abstract: The rapidly increasing level of meat consumption amongst Chinese middle classes is well known across the international research and policy literatures. In this presentation I reflect on current research done in collaboration with Josephine Mylan (SCI) and Zhu Di (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) about the dynamics of meat provision and consumption in everyday life – in families, households, friendship groups, workplaces. Reflecting on in-depth qualitative interviews with middle class Chinese residents in Beijing and Shanghai, we explore every day diet provision, diet choices and diet arrangements. We also seek to reveal the motives as well as ambivalences and anxieties of diverse modes of meat provision and consumption. The presentation will explore three themes i) Consuming within shifting systems of provision: urban foodscapes and expectations about convenience and quality; ii) Meat eating in everyday life: Socializing, celebrating and nurturing and iii) Making meanings in meat eating: hybrid understandings of health, beauty and nutrition. The impetus for this study was the excitement in the international media regarding the introduction of new Chinese nutritional and dietary guidelines in 2016 which suggest a reduction of upper limits of meat consumption. Our qualitative findings challenge the simplistic narratives of control regarding the relationship between the Chinese State and Chinese Citizens, particularly in relation to some of the more mundane aspects of everyday life. We argue that developing qualitative understandings of the Chinese context are therefore essential counterpoints in advancing a deeper critique and reflection of the way that health and sustainability governance transitions are imagined for China.
