Call for papers

The commons and open source research group of Sociology and Anthropology of Development (SADE), Wageningen University, the Netherlands, in collaboration with Social Science Department of Maringá State University, UEM, Brazil, organises this conference to discuss current and emerging initiatives on open source- and commons-based knowledge production in agriculture. The issue of commons raises many questions. To name just a few: Is commonization an effective way to counter the dominant trend of commodification of seeds, knowledge and breeding technologies? How is commonization related to the reconstruction of rurality, networks and sociotechnical assemblages? By bringing together representatives of civil society groups and scholars the conference aims to confront the concrete experiences of various practitioners on commons with theoretical and conceptual frames on commons and to contribute to the creation of more robust and vigorous practices of commonization in agricultural innovation and production.

The discussions on commons-based agricultural practices for sustainable agricultural innovations take place on basis of papers presented in workshop and published in a special volume on commons.

1) Commonization of natural agricultural resources (land, plant genetic materials, seeds, etc.).
2) Commonization of agricultural knowledge resources in research institutions.
3) Conceptualizing commons distinguished from public and private goods.
4) Open source research strategies for expanding commons-based developments.
5) Commons in community-based agricultural practices (case-studies).
6) Social technology in creating commons-based agricultural innovations.
7) Food sovereignty and rights to food as commons.

8) University and communities for commons-based innovations.

9) Other issues mentioned in received papers

Send to complete work march 22