Reinwardt Academy research: how to bring less meat onto the table during the holidays?

Published on

Eating meat in the company of family or friends is sometimes an uncomfortable and fraught topic of conversation, especially in the context of traditions. Junior researcher Mijs Besseling (research group Cultural Heritage, Reinwardt Academy) and her project team developed an Action Framework (in Dutch) for anyone who recognizes this and feels shy about taking action in such situations. It offers inspiration and guidance on what to do.

At the Cultural Heritage research group at the Reinwardt Academy, a special research project on festive meals took place during the past year: Rethinking the place of meat in tradition through (ritual) intervention. A key premise of this research was that ritualized behavior can not only hold back change, but can actually accelerate it. It was investigated how food traditions can be used to ensure less meat on the table. For example, a Living Lab involved working with students who implemented interventions at home leading up to the Christmas meal. The output of the project is the scientific article Toward ritual intervention strategies in consumption practices (yet to be published) and the Action Framework. They are the results of activities such as fieldlabs, interviews, sessions of emotion networks and focus groups. 

Want to receive a printed copy of the Action Framework?
Printed copies of the Action Framework are also available, which can be placed on the dinner table as a conversation starter. Very convenient with the holidays coming up. Do you know of an institution or party for whom the Action Framework might be of interest? Or would you like to receive a printed copy yourself? Please contact mijs.besseling@ahk.nl.

Action Framework Rethinking the place of meat in traditions through (ritual) intervention - Reinwardt Academy  (in Dutch)

More information about the research  (in Dutch)

The research is a project of the Route Levend Verleden of the National Science Agenda. Partners involved are: Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, Protestant Theological University, IkEetCultuur and Studio Lotte Sluiter. 
Action Framework design: Josje-Marie Vrolijk.

Share