Aug. 20, 2025
U荔枝视频's Agricultural Literacy program uses innovative method to explore complex topics
How do you educate the general public about a complex or controversial issue who may have strong opinions one way or another on that issue?
As part of it鈥檚 Agricultural Literacy program, a team at U荔枝视频鈥檚 is exploring the use of controversy mapping, an innovative research method used to simplify complex debates, or controversies, to make them more understandable to a variety of interested parties, including policy makers, researchers, and the public.
The puzzle pieces of a controversy map
The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy
Exploring complex debates at the 荔枝视频 Stampede
鈥淭here can be many layers to a controversy, such as sub-controversies and larger meta-controversies,鈥 explains Dr. , PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in the . 鈥淭he process also takes the timeline of a controversy into account, examining when something became a controversy, what led up to it, what鈥檚 the current status, and so on. Our goal is to map the specific layers and then present them to the public in a user-friendly way.鈥
The team spent time at this year鈥檚 荔枝视频 Stampede engaging with people about a controversy that hits close to home for many Albertans: water governance for agriculture in Alberta鈥檚 South Saskatchewan River Basin. This example explores complex and interconnected debates about resource management, water governance, water rights, and decision-making authority. The team delivered four presentations on the BMO Community Stage within the BMO Centre, prompting audiences to consider the significant amount of water required to grow and produce food in Alberta.
Dr. Juhi Huda, PhD, presenting at the 荔枝视频 Stampede
Juhi Huda
As research associate Dr. , PhD, explains, 鈥淪ticking with the Stampede theme, our presentations asked the question 鈥榟ow much water does it take to make a Stampede breakfast?鈥 鈥 pancakes, sausage, coffee, and so on 鈥 and we went through the different pieces that go into that. How much water does it take to grow the wheat for the flour for the pancakes? How much water does a pig need each day? How much water do we need to make a cup of coffee?鈥
Following the presentations, audience members could scan a QR code for a prototype website with more information, and had the opportunity to ask questions or chat further about water governance in Alberta.
Providing information to make informed choices
Ultimately, the team aims to develop a website that serves as a resource for visitors to explore and understand controversies affecting them or their communities, and as a tool to help dispel misinformation.
鈥淭he goal is not to persuade people one way or another,鈥 says project coordinator , BSc鈥21, MA鈥24. 鈥淚t's more so to provide a spectrum of what all the arguments are around particular controversies so they can make more informed choices as consumers.鈥
Left to right: Dr. Anne-Marieke Smid, PhD; Dr. Juhi Huda, PhD; Roshanne Sihota, BSc鈥21, MA鈥24
The is generously funded by BMO, and aims to draw on multiple sources and perspectives to demystify information about our food system. Discussions around agriculture tend to be mired by controversy, misconception and stereotypes that prevent informed consumer choices and frustrate policy development. Only by building a more complete picture of real-world agriculture can we achieve the sustainable food systems necessary to enact significant changes in the dietary habits of millions of people. Access to reliable information and data enables individuals to understand issues, think, and act.
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