Reena Patel interview in NYTimes Article:Ambitions Meet Reality in India

Ambitions Meet Reality in India

Published: December 14, 2010 in The New York Times

Reena Patel, Ph.D. alumna of UT Geography and The Environment, was interviewed for a New York Times article about women in India. The article reports that for a new generation of women workers in India, the challenges include discrimination that is "insidious rather than blatant" and breaking into sectors and roles that have traditionally been reserved for men.  Dr. Patel's was interviewed about her experptise on India-global labor relations, and its impacts on women's rights.

The article can be read on NYTimes.com - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/world/asia/15iht-letter15.html

Reena Patel is also the author of the book "Working the Night Shift" which is stems from her Ph.D. research at UT Austin. To learn more about her book, visit her website: http://www.working-the-nightshift.com/

The Google Book Preview of Working the Night Shift.

¿Tacos or Tacos?: film on urban food culture in Austin.

Robert Lemon, who studies social issues and urban space, has just finished production on his first documentary film. The film is a short 15 minute piece that explores how food is reshaping urban space and what it signifies for divergent communities.



 “¿Tacos or Tacos?”

Synopsis:
Austin has witnessed the growth of two different types of food trucks over the last few years; taco trucks that serve immigrants, and trendier food trucks that create new hybrid cuisines. “¿Tacos or Tacos?” is a short documentary about the emergence of new food cultures of Austin and how they are shaping community identity in the city. Moreover, it is about how food trucks transform the urban environment to create a place and space where particular customs are practiced and continued. Through juxtaposing immigrant taco trucks on the East side of Austin to the new trendier food trucks in the eclectic and eccentric neighborhood of South Austin, the film elucidates that taco trucks are more than just a place to eat for Mexican immigrants.

Link to entire film on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gy2LbRdoMc

Jon Gehring attending COP16



Logo for COP 16



Master's Student is part of AAG Delegation to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Cancun

Climate Change Conference is currently taking place in Cancun (COP16) and will continue through Friday, December 10th.

Geography master's student Jon Gehring is among the delegates at the meeting, which has as its goal to formulate an agreement that addresses the major issues on climate change. Gehring and other geographers are part of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) Delegation to the Climate Conference.

The Conference is the latest in a series of meetings that having taken place since 1992, with last year’s taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark. The AAG delegation has a blog with daily updates on the conference proceedings.

Blog of the AAG Delegation - http://aag-cop15.blogspot.com/

COP16 Home Page - http://cc2010.mx/en/

AAG Home Page - http://www.aag.org/