The Lexicon of Commodity Frontiers proposes and explores some of the crucial concepts at the core of research in the Commodity Frontiers Initiative. The lexicon aims to be a logbook for tracking efforts to translate our world into comprehensible processes and concepts for further investigation; it brings together concepts and terms with a long trajectory within and outside academia and newly emerging words, often originating in the work and practice of social movements. It offers insights into dynamic problems that should be (re)considered, (re)conceptualised, and discussed through key concepts that can serve as compasses while navigating the global history and present of commodity frontiers. The lexicon is a space of conversation and confrontation to explore existing ideas and forge new critical ones.
Lexicon Editors:
Claudia Bernardi: suomi.bernardi@gmail.com
Hanne Cottyn: hanne.cottyn@york.ac.uk
Eric Vanhaute: eric.vanhaute@ugent.be
Why a lexicon?
We feel the urgency to compose a commodity frontiers lexicon as a tool for discussion and education and to open up vibrant conversations within our network. The lexicon proposes some concepts that are at the core of the research within the Commodity Frontiers Initiative. These concepts are crucial terms in our historical and contemporary research. The lexicon is not meant to be exhaustive or conclusive; it does not propose clear-cut definitions for establishing a rigid framework or a single view. On the contrary, this lexicon aims to be a logbook that keeps track of the efforts of translating our world into comprehensible processes to be further investigated. The lexicon brings together concepts and terms with a long trajectory within or outside academia and newly emerging words, often originating in the work and practice of social movements. It offers insights to dynamic problems worth to be rethought and discussed through key concepts that serve as a compass while navigating the global history of commodity frontiers. The lexicon is a space of conversation and confrontation to test our ideas and forge new critical ones.
What is it for?
The Lexicon of Commodity Frontiers, housed at the CFI website, is meant to question the main ideas within our network through a set of key concepts and also to promote discussion and exchange with commentators. Furthermore, it aims at building a scientific and educational tool that engages with different languages and formats of translation, and addresses scholars, students and various social actors.
Formats
As there are many views and ways to confront an issue, the Lexicon of Commodity Frontiers is open to various languages and formats to be experimented: descriptions, conversations, videos, sounds, images, artistic contributions are all welcome. Nonetheless, each keyword is developed moving from a starting point that works as a common format of each lexicon keyword.
• The common format
As a starting point, the editors propose the main keywords that are at the core of CFI. For each keyword the editors organize a seminar based on two steps.
First, we organize an overture by inviting for each selected keyword a speaker to present a short written description of the concept. This text will serve as a starting point to open up the conversation and it will be shared within the network.
Secondly, we organize an online video recorded conversation about the keyword between the speaker and other four speakers that are either members of our network or interesting contacts. After presenting the overture and the contributions by speakers, the floor will be open to CFI network’s members.
Finally, the editors prepare a short description of the concept based on the conversation to be agreed by the network members, and be shared on the website together with the video of the full conversation. This short text will serve as a general and introductory description of the concept.
• Further formats
The description of the keyword and the conversation open the path to further formats that can be proposed by CFI network members. Not all the words need to follow the same format beside the common format; some may have documentary or artistic contributions, or a sound contribution, etc. All this material will be uploaded on the website in the section and will be fully part of the lexicon.
Commodity Frontiers 