Description du sujet de thèse

The food experience associated with rural tourism constitutes a space for the expression of numerous collective practices and representations. It gives rise to the emergence of new forms of hospitality, on the margins of “institutionalized” tourism. This is particularly the case of agritourism, defined as all tourist activities carried out on farms, and often presented as a lever for diversification with multiple economic, social and cultural effects (Bessière and Annes, 2018). In the continuity of the TOURALIM 1 and 2 research projects (2018-2025) coordinated by Jacinthe Bessière and Alexis Annes within the CERTOP and LISST laboratories of the University of Toulouse Jean Jaures, and which decipher the changes in representations and practices resulting from the encounter between agricultural and tourist populations on farms, we will seek in this thesis project to deepen how these exchanges can strengthen the links between food, agriculture and territory.
Thus, the thesis project aims to analyze how and under what conditions forms of farm hospitality can participate in the agri-food transition. Without limiting itself to this, the thesis project will particularly focus on "wwoofing" as a form of farm hospitality. Without a specifically touristic aim, wwoofing meets various societal expectations (support for farmers, learning, ethical travel (Fort, 2023) and defines a process of co-participation (Chabot, 2019) on the farm. It is analyzed as a mutual enrichment between hosts and wwoofers around ideals of agri-food transition, offering training in peasant practices and learning about lifestyles (Lelièvre, 2023; Fort, 2023). These modes of reception in general, and "wwoofing" in particular, will be observed as levers for the diversification of agricultural activities and as potential responses to more sustainable tourism development. The research aims to explore the transformations inherent in the strategies, practices and interactions resulting from the encounter between agricultural and non-agricultural populations. This will include an overview of the different forms of farm hospitality:
(1) Define the panorama of the different forms of farm hospitality, from the most traditional to the most committed to the agri-food transition. We will question the notion of "alternative" by examining the motivations of farmers and visitors, their action strategies, and then their reciprocal influence in a process of co-construction and co-participation.
(2) Evaluate the role of farm hosting in the transmission of agricultural knowledge: by relying more specifically on the phenomenon of "wwoofing", the research aims to analyze how these practices respond to the challenges of agricultural recognition, transmission and training, and how they can offer access routes to agriculture for populations not from the sector.
(3) Explore the link between food and farm hospitality: study how farm hospitality experiences contribute to reconnecting populations to food production methods and how they promote a better understanding of agroecological issues, which can lead to changes in food practices.
(4) Study the link between lifestyle and “activism” by examining how these same experiences respond to forms of engagement in favor of the agri-food and tourism transition, and how they operate for agricultural, economic, social and ecological justice.

Contexte de travail

This thesis project, supported by the TESC doctoral school of the University of Toulouse Jean Jaures, is mainly in sociology (J. Bessière, PU in sociology, thesis director and A. Annes, enseignant chercheur in sociology, co-thesis director); it will also benefit from a collective dynamic of multidisciplinary research (sociology, economics, geography), bringing together researchers from two research laboratories (the CERTOP main laboratory and the LISST, associated laboratory), the PURPAN Engineering School and ISTHIA (Higher Institute of Tourism, Hospitality and Food) of the University Toulouse 2 Jean Jaurès. It will also be part of the GIS CIMES (International Center of the Southern Mountains), located on the university campus of Foix (Ariège).

Contraintes et risques

The position is based in Toulouse
3-year contract
Driving licence is required
Occasional travel is planned as part of the research (national travel)

Informations complémentaires

• Holder of a Master's degree in sociology or social geography
• Proficiency in survey methods and sociological analyses
• Interest in the development of rural areas and transitions.
• Required skills: autonomy (particularly in the field), initiative, adaptability, analytical skills, and writing skills.