Food is more than sustenance; it carries stories, traditions, and memories that shape how communities understand identity and culture. On April 17, scholars from across the country will gather at the University of Iowa to explore those connections during a daylong symposium focused on food, culture, and memory.

The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.

Pre-register for the symposium

The symposium will examine food as both a cultural practice and a teaching tool. Through keynote talks and panel discussions, participants will explore how food traditions shape identity and memory, while also considering how food studies can be used in classrooms to teach culture and language.

The symposium is organized by the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies and the Food Studies Group, two of International Programs’ affinity groups, and co-sponsored by the Departments of History; Anthropology; International Studies; and Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures.