The Spice of Life: Migrating Foods and the Sensual Experience of Diasporic Culture
Lead Research Organisation:
University of the West of England
Department Name: Faculty of Creative Arts
Abstract
The project will develop theoretical guidelines for studying food practices that migrate across borders, becoming material resources for diasporic communities, and offering new experiences for the receiving culture. As sensual culture, food can delight and disgust, and connect you materially to places and memories. Food practices will be treated as dynamic agents in cultural migration: they help and hinder our bodies' ability to change, to accommodate new sensual environments and make them palatable. This theoretical work will be demonstrated by using the example of Indian cuisine in the UK in the postwar and contemporary period.
Publications
Ben Highmore
(2010)
Handbook of Cultural Sociology
Highmore B
(2011)
Introduction: 'Out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness' - Sugar on the Move
in New Formations
Highmore B
(2010)
The Affect Theory Reader
Highmore B
(2013)
Migrant Cuisine, Critical Regionalism and Gastropoetics
in Cultural Studies Review
Highmore B
(2015)
The Taj Mahal in the High Street T he I ndian R estaurant as D iasporic P opular C ulture in B ritain
in Food, Culture & Society
Highmore B
(2008)
Alimentary Agents: Food, Cultural Theory and Multiculturalism
in Journal of Intercultural Studies
| Description | Meals and Migration, Perth Australia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a keynote presentation at Murdoch university that included dieticians and people working with migrants on the theme of how food connects to diaspora. Out of this talk a number of publications emerged. I edited a special issue of New Formations on Food on the Move and included a number of people I met at this symposium. I was also invited to contribute to a special issue of the open access journal Cultural Studies Review on food. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2008 |