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about the institute

Creating a Better World Through Food

The Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies is an interdisciplinary, dynamic global hub for the transformation of current perspectives on foodways, food representation, access and systems. We play a leading role in examining food’s relationship to social justice, art, public health, sustainability and the economy.

our story

A Story About the ROTHMAN FOOD INSTITUTE

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Food is central to our collective human experience — and it has the power to sustain and connect us all. We believe it shouldn’t be difficult to cultivate a career in food, to know the origin of our local grocery store’s produce or to celebrate the historical nuances of our meals. That’s why we exist: to transform our understanding of food, our cultural relationships and our global future. Take a seat at our table and contribute to the critical collective future of food — and beyond.

get to know us

the rothman food institute

The Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies – the Rothman Food Institute, for short – was founded by Marcie Rothman, whose family has supported more than 60 UCLA departments for more than nine decades.

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About Us

our vision

our purpose

Our Founder

About Us

We partner with UCLA campus departments and our surrounding community to forge connections between students and the food that sustains us all. We offer undergraduate, graduate and global engagement programs — and opportunities for funding!

Explore Our Educational Programs

our values

affiliated faculty

Monica L. Smith

Anthropology & Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Hannah Landecker

Sociology and the Institute for Society and Genetics

Michael Prelip

Community Health Sciences

Alma Guerrero

Pediatrics

Elaine Hsiao

Integrative Biology & Physiology

Liwei Chen

Epidemiology

Deepak Rajagopal

Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

William McCarthy

Health Policy & Management

Michael Roberts

Law

Akhil Gupta

Anthropology

Jennifer Jay

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Lauren (Robin) Derby

History

Amy Rowat

Integrative Biology and Physiology

Diana Winters

Law

Jay O'Shea

World Arts and Cultures/Dance

Janet Tomiyama

Psychology

Erin Cooney

European Languages and Transcultural Studies

Dena Herman

Community Health Sciences

May Wang

Community Health Sciences

Wendelin Slusser

Community Health Sciences

Joseph Peterson

CHEMICAL AND BIOMOLECULAR ENGINEERING

Vetri Nathan

European Languages & Transcultural Studies

Judith Carney

Geography