The relationship between humans, microbes and food
Communication Studies PhD student and Concordia Public Scholar Maya Hey’s work lies at the crossroads of science, feminist philosophy, art and humanities. She will be studying the complicated relationship between humans and microbes under the supervision of Yasmin Jiwani, Concordia University Research Chair in Intersectionality, Violence and Resistance.
With her background in biochemistry, nutrition, and gastronomy, Hey will use the theory and practice of fermentation as a way to understand how we engage with microbial life.
“Microbes live inside, on and around us, and how we relate to them is complicated because we cannot easily see them,” says Hey. “We tend to assume microbes are one thing (such as probiotic or pathogenic), which casts microbes as ‘others’ to exploit or vilify.”
Changing how we treat microbes impacts a wide variety of occupations including medical professionals, chefs, farmers and storeowners because of how microbial life is regulated in public health codes, hygiene standards, health-care practices and food safety protocols.
Using a combination of ethnography and research-creation, Hey will participate in a series of public workshops, performances, conferences, interviews and publications that will engage with a spectrum of fields including communication, culture, gender, food, and technology.
“We are always already engaging with microbes, and this project highlights the common stakes we share as everyday eaters,” says Hey.