Biography

Debbie Dergousoff, B.A., M.A.

Debbie Dergousoff entered the PhD (Sociology) program at SFU in 2006 after completing her BA Honours (with distinction) and her MA in Sociology at the University of Victoria. She was awarded a SSHRCC Canada Graduate Scholarship (Masters) for her thesis entitled: An Institutional Ethnography of the Roaster at Work in an Alternative Trade Market for Coffee. Her PhD study, De-Gendering Globalization? An Institutional Ethnography of Fair Trade Co-operatives in Oaxaca, Mexico will examine the processes by which the conceptual forms of women’s empowerment are transformed into material effects in the framing of ‘development.’ Her study will explore the democratic principles of the co-operative model and FLO-Certified Fair Trade, guided by the questions: What are women’s work processes and how do their conceptual and material forms translate into inequities for them? In what ways do Fair Trade co-operative models influence or change the forms and functions of traditional family life? How are gender differences accounted for and managed in Fair Trade co-operative models?

Debbie has begun research for an Ethical Trade and Co-opertives tab for the BCICS website that will contain information useful to co-ops looking for information on ‘ethical trading’ or ‘fair trade’ options. 'Fair trade' debates, issues and some history will be provided along with current research in the area of ethical/fair trade and co-ops in Canada. She hopes the website will expand to include a broader North American and European perspective on co-operatives and fair trade.