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close up of 2 prepared dishes

Food is central to shaping identities, building communities, and fostering belonging.

The Food and Belonging cluster examines how migrants use food practices as strategies for adaptation, resilience, and sustainability, while also cultivating a sense of home in new environments. Through these practices, food becomes more than sustenance—it serves as a medium for connection, cultural continuity, and emotional well-being.

We explore how food fosters integration by encouraging dialogue around the intersections of local, national, and global culinary traditions. Our focus is on how these interactions shape belonging, identity, and social cohesion, enriching both personal relationships and public spaces.

Courses Offered

samnple ACE Partnership with Cultures of Exile Spring ‘24 Description of Cultures of Exile class and ACE project partnership that goes into excerpt field.
student at fruit stand Summer study abroad program in Greece In the Summer of 2024, eleven students traveled to Thessaloniki, Greece in order to study migration and belonging through the lens of food.

Our Outputs

food and migration research Food and Migration Research Through in-depth qualitative research with Syrian women, the project endeavors to understand migrant homemaking activities and specifically how food practices change and are involved in integration.
discussion area Belonging Talks Series The Integration and Belonging Hub hosts the annual Belonging Talks speaker series, a forum that brings well respected scholars, practitioners, and community partners to campus.
Contact Information

Integration and Belonging Hub

Contact us