Geography Faculty Member Awarded Canadian Research Grant To Study Politics Of Diamond Industry

January 07, 2009

Bowling Green, Ky. - The Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., has announced the award of an International Council for Canadian Studies Faculty Research Grant to Dr. Kolson Schlosser, a visiting assistant professor in Western Kentucky University’s Department of Geography and Geology. 

Dr. Schlosser’s research proposal titled “Examining the Cultural Politics of Canadian Gemstone Diamonds” received funding for field research in May and June at Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories, which is often called the diamond capital of North America. The purpose of the research is to provide a commodity chain analysis of the Canadian diamond industry.
 
In response to the increased notoriety of “conflict diamonds” over the past 10 years, the global diamond industry has restructured many of its supply chains, making Canada now the third largest producer of diamonds by value in the world. Analyzing how these restructured commodity chains operate in Canada will help contextualize the marketing of Canadian diamonds as allegedly “pure” or “conscience-friendly” alternatives to conflict diamonds. Also, examining the cultural politics at various stages of the chain (mining, cutting/polishing, jewelry manufacture, marketing and sales) should, in the future, contribute to social and environmental justice policy-making in northern Canada.

“This award to support Kolson’s research into diamond politics is a recognition of his developing expertise in the area of geopolitics and natural resource management,” said Geography and Geology Department Head Dr. David Keeling. “Resource sustainability and environmental justice challenges are two of the key ‘Seven Revolutions’ that are shaping global society, and both students and faculty in the Department are addressing these issues through research and active learning.”
               
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For information, contact Kolson Schlosser at (270) 745-5980.