Photographer and Graduate Student of Visual Anthropology Conducts a Study of Fair Trade, Shade Grown Coffee in Ethiopia

Kirkland, WA, October 22, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Paula Suter of Kirkland, Washington is combining photography with anthropology to complete her Master’s thesis through University of North Texas, a visual study of fair trade, shade grown coffee. The research site is Fero Coffee Cooperative in Yrgalem, Ethiopia, where Paula will conduct visual focus groups on fair trade and environmentally friendly growing practices with Coop farmers and producers. Her approach is a visual method called “photo elicitation,” which sparks conversation and storytelling by engaging participants in viewing a series of photos depicting the people and coffee growing ecosystems of their community.

The research is designed to find out what will emerge from direct, visually guided dialogue with farmers about fair trade and coffee farming. The results of the study will be used by Level Ground Trading, organizational sponsor of the research, to promote consumer awareness of the commitment necessary to economically and ecologically sustain premium grade coffee production. LGT maintains trade relationships focused on the well-being of farmers, environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.