Field Study in Montevideo
After a month of field study in Montevideo, my classmates and I prepared a report on the issue of food waste in Uruguayan supermarkets and proposed an innovative solution. In parallel, an Audio Visual project was conducted.
Research on food security
This one-month field study in Montevideo, Uruguay, explored the links between food security and human rights, in partnership with the Universidad de la República. Professors from neuroscience, psychology, and human rights contributed to the program, giving the project an interdisciplinary approach.
The objective was to engage with local communities and reflect on food security from multiple perspectives. It also served as a preview of the bachelor's thesis, strengthening our research and teamwork skills. We worked in small, mixed groups of Uruguayan and European students, collecting and analyzing data directly in the field.
Together with three classmates, I focused on fruit and vegetable waste in supermarkets. After examining the issue through observations and interview excerpts, we designed an innovative intervention: the "Save me!" bags. These paper bags, filled with ripe produce, would be sold at a reduced price in supermarket stalls. Beyond reducing waste, the project aimed to improve access to fresh food, raise consumer awareness, and spark conversations on sustainable consumption.
"Save me!" bag's prototype
Audio-Visual Research
Additionally, as part of our Skills course, we were asked to interview one of our classmates before and after the field study, in order to prompt reflection on how her understanding of global citizenship—one of the core themes of this bachelor's—had evolved.
The assignment encouraged creativity, as the outcome had to take the form of an audiovisual research piece. Our final product was a blog, which brought together a five-minute video montage, photographs from the field study related to our interviewee, a soundscape, and a written reflection on both the person and the changes we observed.
For reasons of anonymity, I have removed the elements that reveal the identity of my classmate. Still, the version I share here gives a clear sense of the project we developed.
This short soundscape will immerse you in our journey to Montevideo. It starts with a university lecture, then moves on to the lively Sunday market, before turning to our hostel, where the music was constantly resonating. Finally, you can hear a street orchestra featuring cello, violin and accordion, before ending in a traditional bar, where locals invited us to play candombe.
Sample of the photo gallery
