Recipient Organization
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
CONTROLLERS OFFICE SKYTOP OFFICE BLDG
SYRACUSE,NY 13244
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This project employs social science research to foster interagency collaboration, advancing agri-food system security, with a focus on the meatpacking industry. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities within the meatpacking sector, such as plant closures and labor shortages, which not only impacted worker safety but also disrupted the food supply chain, affecting consumers and the economy at large. Researching and addressing these challenges are crucial not only for ensuring the well-being of workers but also for maintaining food security and resilience on a larger scale. By employing social science research methods, including social network analysis and in-depth interviews, thisproject seeks to enhance interagency collaboration among regulatory bodies like the USDA and OSHA. This collaboration is essential for developing evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at enhancing worker and food safety within the meatpacking sector.Aligned with AFRI's program area of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health (FSNH) and focus areas of 1) food safety and defense (A1332) and 2) social implications of food and agricultural technologies (A1642), this project assesses worker and food safety issues to identify solutions. In doing so, I will employ a One Health framework, a collaborative approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary efforts to address complex health challenges through integrated research, policies, and practices. I will use social network analysis and in-depth interviews to map agency collaborations and identify collaborative pathways for strengthened food system resilience.Inmapping existing collaborations among regulatory bodies like the USDA and OSHA, I will identify gaps and barriers to interagency coordination, crucial for addressing worker and food safety concerns effectively.By analyzing policies regulating the meatpacking sector and overlapping worker and food safety issues, I will integrate qualitative and quantitative methods to propose policy recommendations aimed at increasing interagency cooperation.This proposed project has the potential to foster enhanced coordination among agencies and industry stakeholders to effectively address challenges inherent in our consolidated system, encompassing worker safety, animal welfare, and supply chain resilience - all of which were magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic.Enhancing communication and interagency channels for documenting and responding to worker safety issues is critical to not only protecting workers, but also to the security of our food system.The ultimate goals of this research project are to enhance the resilience of the meatpacking sector and promote safer working conditions and higher food safety standards. Achieving these goals would not only benefit workers by ensuring their well-being but also safeguard public health, support economic stability, and contribute to environmental sustainability by strengthening the resilienceof our food system. By addressing vulnerabilities within the meatpacking industry, this project aims to create lasting positive impacts that extend beyond the immediate challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a more resilient food system for future generations.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
0%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
This project's goal isto increase collaboration between regulatory agencies, such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to establish a more resilient meatpacking sector.Objectives:Evaluate existing policies (FMIA, HMSA, PPIA, NPIS, NSIS, etc) utilizing a One Health framework to understand their implications for worker safety, food safety, and the overall meatpacking sector.Identify and document the intersections between worker safety and food safety issues through the lens of One Health.Map current collaborative efforts between governmental agencies concerning worker safety, food safety, and the security of the food system.Analyze both short-term and long-term collaborative goals, challenges, and outcomes among agencies regulating the meatpacking sector.Formulate policy recommendations that target heightened interagency collaboration, thereby fostering enhanced resilience within the food system.
Project Methods
This project employs mixed methods, including in-depth interviews, surveys, content analysis, and critical policy ethnography. The primary research question is: "Does enhanced interagency collaboration between regulatory bodies improve worker safety and food safety within the meatpacking sector?"Policy Document AnalysisI will systematically collect and analyze policy documents from relevant agencies and organizations related to the meatpacking sector. This involves identifying existing policies, strategic plans, guidelines, and other formal documents that outline collaborative efforts and directives aimed at ensuring both worker and food safety. Policy documents will be sourced from key agencies and organizations involved in both worker safety and food safety, including: USDA, FSIS, APHIS, ERS, OSHA, NIOSH, CDC, One Health Federal Interagency Network, and other relevant federal, state, and local agencies. Documents will include legislation and regulations, strategic plans, MOUs, reports, white papers, and other materials related to 1) the intersection of occupational health and food safety and 2) interagency collaboration and coordination. These documents will be collected through reviewing online repositories, official websites, and academic and government databases.Social Network AnalysisTo gather comprehensive data on interagency collaboration and perceptions within the context of One Health, I will conduct a social network survey targeting staff across multiple relevant agencies and working groups. Using these agencies' websites and publicly available materials, and leveraging contacts formed during my doctoral research, I will develop a contact database for survey dissemination. Recruitment will involve contacting leadership at these agencies, explaining the survey's purpose, and encouraging them to disseminate the survey among their staff. I will also use internal newsletters, intranet postings, and professional networks to maximize reach and participation. Respondents will be encouraged to share the survey link with colleagues involved in related activities, using a snowball sampling technique. The target is 100 completed surveys, which will be aggregated and analyzed to identify trends and insights without revealing individual identities or specific responses. Survey participants will be asked if they are willing to participate in a one-hour in-depth interview. I will contact these individuals to schedule an interview and use snowball sampling to get more interviewees.In-Depth InterviewsI will collect data related to collaborative goals, challenges, and outcomes through semi-structured in-depth interviews with regulatory actors, including OSHA and USDA officials, and at regional and field levels, including FSIS inspectors. Interviews and surveys with agency representatives will be used to gather detailed information on the nature and extent of collaboration between individuals and agencies. Key areas of inquiry will include:Collaborative Partners: Identifying who respondents collaborate with, including the names of individuals and agencies.Nature of Activities: Describing the types of collaborative activities conducted, such as joint research projects, information sharing, policy development, and operational coordination.Levels of Trust: Assessing the levels of trust between collaborators, which is critical for effective cooperation and partnership.Perceived Barriers and Facilitators: Exploring respondents' perceptions of the main barriers to effective collaboration, as well as suggestions for what could strengthen these collaborative efforts.Participants will be asked about their perspectives on food and worker safety issues, including their understanding of One Health principles and their outlook on future trends and challenges. Participants will discuss their views on the interconnectedness of food safety, worker safety, and public health, as well as collaborative efforts integrating One Health principles. Interviews with other relevant stakeholders, such as worker advocacy groups (e.g., Rural Community Workers Alliance, Venceremos, HEAL Food Alliance) and industry actors, will provide further information on the need for interagency collaboration to enhance worker safety and the security of the meatpacking sector.Worker InterviewsIn addition to collecting data from agencies, I will conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews with workers to gather information related to their working conditions, perceptions of worker safety issues, and communication pathways to report safety issues. To recruit workers, I will leverage personal and professional contacts formed during my doctoral research, coordinating on-site visits with local and regional meatpacking worker advocacy organizations and connecting with workers in-person. Interview questions will focus on various aspects of their working conditions, including physical environment, job tasks, safety training, and access to resources. I will explore their perceptions of worker safety issues, areas of concern, and potential areas for improvement, including the effectiveness of existing reporting mechanisms and any barriers to accessing them. Interviewing workers provides the opportunity to capture their perspectives, experiences, and insights regarding working conditions and safety issues within meatpacking facilities. Understanding the lived experiences of workers is crucial for identifying gaps in safety protocols, communication pathways, and areas for improvement.Data AnalysisDuring data analysis, I will use NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software, to analyze primary and secondary qualitative data collected, including interview transcripts, field notes, and secondary qualitative content such as bills, policies, and other publicly available documents. Social network data will be exported from Qualtrics and analyzed and visualized in UCINET and Visone, social network software. I will take an inductive and iterative approach to data collection and analysis, working closely with my mentors to discuss emergent themes, hypotheses, and questions. This project is well suited for data triangulation, as I have a variety of data sources. In reviewing survey data, social network data, and qualitative data, I will provide a robust understanding of existing interagency collaboration and suggestions for development and growth. In partnership with my mentors, I will draft a report based on findings that outline policy recommendations. After completing the analysis, I will present the findings of this research in written format and a virtual presentation. Following the presentation will be an extended open forum, whereby participants will be encouraged to discuss the findings and steps moving forward. This information will be included in the final research report and disseminated to stakeholders. We will also publish results in academic journals.