UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Martin Lenihan, a graduate student in rural sociology, was recently awarded the Dissertation Award from the Penn State Alumni Association for his thesis entitled "State, Social Movement and Producer Perspectives on Multifunctional Agriculture in the Global Food Regime."

Lenihan, who will receive $5,000 as part of the award, was recommended by his advisor, Kathryn Brasier, assistant professor of rural sociology in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "Martin has excelled as a student in our program and has already made significant contributions in our field," she says. "He shows great promise in his future career." Research done for the dissertation by Lenihan, Brasier believes, has the potential to address a number of theoretical issues related to the development and future direction of our food production system and its environmental implications. "Martin's work offers insight into the creation and negotiation of policies that will affect international relations, natural economies, local communities and farmers," she says.

Lenihan, who earned a master's degree in rural development from the National University of Dublin and a bachelor's degree in sociology and geography from the National University of Ireland at Maynooth, admitted that winning this award means a lot to him. "It really is encouraging to have your work recognized by such a prestigious award," he says. "It gives me the confidence to present my work to a wider audience. I am particularly encouraged by the fact that the research issue I am exploring was of interest to people outside the discipline of rural sociology." The award will allow Lenihan to complete the fieldwork component of his research, which involves extensive travel within Pennsylvania and to Ireland. "The fieldwork is particularly important, allowing me the opportunity to compare the global discourse on multifunctional agriculture with the meanings and interpretations of environmental activists, farmers and agency personnel at the grassroots levels," he says. "It is my intention to use part of the award money to attend meetings where my work would reach a wider public."

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Writer/editor: Jeff Mulhollem 814-863-2719 jjm29@psu.edu