Gerardo Otero

Gerardo Otero is a Professor of International Studies at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada, specializing in political sociology, globalization, and food systems. He is an affiliated faculty member of SFU's Labour Studies Program and a founding member of the British Columbia Employment Standards Coalition. His research focuses on neoliberalism's impact on food regimes, social movements, and labor rights, with emphasis on Latin America.

Education:

• B.A. in Business Administration (ITESM, 1975)
• M.A. in Latin American Studies (University of Texas at Austin, 1977)
• Ph.D. in Sociology (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1986)

Research Interests:

• Neoliberal Food Regime and its Diet: Trade dependency, obesity, and health
• Empowerment Theory: Popular-democratic alternatives from social movements
• Farmworkers: Migrant labor conditions and policy advocacy

Awards and Affiliations:

• Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (Social Sciences, 2021)
• Dean's Medal for Lifetime Achievement (SFU, 2024)
• 2021/2022 President of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA)

Advocacy and Grants:

• Lead researcher for Farmworker Health and Safety: Challenges for British Columbia (2010-2011)
• Co-authored Collective Empowerment in Latin America (2024), analyzing indigenous and peasant movements