Interdisciplinary PhD course "Food, Health and Philosophy in East and West" [organised in South China - scholarships available]

SHORT FACTS:

• Dates: 29 March - 8 April 2016;
• Sites: Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, China;
• Credits: 5 ECTS (incl. presentation/report);
• The course uses insights about food and health in East and West to illustrate how natural science, social science and human science all contribute to the creation of new knowledge; 
• The course mixes academic lectures with site visits to universities, food markets, food/health companies, hospitals and cultural/religious sites to augment the learning process;
• The course is open to all PhD students and R&D professionals from companies that work on topics related to the food chain and/or health of humans or animals;
• Scholarships are available (see call for applications);
• Organisers: University of Copenhagen in collaboration with University of Hong Kong and Sun Yat-sen University;
• Sponsored by Carlsberg Foundation and ARLA.

Introduction
Food and health traditions have become globalized. On the other hand, diet and health views differ widely around the world and are not alone determined by food availability, health care, technology and science. The cultural and philosophical views about nature and the human body are also important. What determines what we eat and how we stay healthy, natural science, culture, philosophy or religion? Is food just fuel for the body machine, is food also medicine and what are “functional foods”? How does food and health science relate to business, culture, philosophy and ethics? The answers vary in different parts of the world. New insights lead to better communication and enhanced collaboration across many borders.

The broadening PhD course aims to give PhD students a better understanding of the scientific, cultural and philosophical background for specific diet habits and health views. We couple field work (universities, hospitals, food markets, religious sites) with insights into the basics of natural, social and human sciences (the 3 main academic domains). Specifically, we compare some traditions of the Western world with those in China. This makes us aware of the potentials and limitations of modern science and its role in diet and health globalization. An open-minded, fruitful cross-talk across different academic fields shall support researchers from the food-health area to see their own topic from a greater methodological perspective.

Registration deadline: 5 January 2016! (Follow this link: https://phdcourses.ku.dk/DetailKursus.aspx?id=98960&showformular=1&sitepath=SUND)

More information and call for applications: http://www.thinkchina.ku.dk/documents/Interdisciplinary_PhD_Course_Food_health_philosophy_in_east_and_west_2016.pdf

Or contact:

Martin Bech
Phone: +45 2962 3147
Mail: MB@thinkchina.dk

University of Copenhagen
Karen Blixens vej 4, Room: 10.3.45
2300 Copenhagen S