Concordia University Food Studies

Associate Professor, Sociology and Anthropology

Dr. Ikeda studies the political sociology of global futures, sustainable agriculture, and Japan and East Asia using the method of Polanyi-Hopkins historical sociology informed by the world-system perspective. Development and international economics inform his study on the global structure of accumulation and governance. His study seeks alternatives to neoliberal globalization that are sustainable ecologically, socially, and economically.

Together with a group of like-minded students, Dr. Ikeda is engaging in the Transition Project. This projects looks into the social economies as possible alternatives to the dysfunctional and unsustainable corporate economy. Those who initiated and practice social economies are video interviewed to reveal their ‘transition moments’ from individualistic and materialistic mentality to collective and sustainable mindset. The project team is working to create video clips to share inspiring stories of ‘transition’ for wider public.

He tells us “My area of interest is creating post-corporate futures with social economy particularly in food-related areas.”