Personal profile
Research Interests
Dr. Keiko Tanaka is Professor of Rural Sociology. She also has a joint appointment with the Department of Sociology in the UK College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on the role of agricultural science and technology in reconfiguring the relationship between food production and consumption in the global context. She publishes both in English and Japanese. Her publications appear in such journals as: Rural Sociology; Journal of Rural Social Sciences; Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development; Agriculture and Human Values; and 「農業と経済」. She participates in the multistate research program on agriculture-of-the-middle. Her instruction focuses on the sociological examination of global food systems and agricultural sustainability. She is passionate about internationalization and the importance of civic engagement in university scholarship.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Michigan State University
1997
Master of Arts, Michigan State University
1992
Bachelor of Arts, Aquinas College
1990
Associate in Arts, Grand Rapids Junior College
1987
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects & Grants
- 12 Finished
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Between Model Minorities and Perpetual Foreigners: The Impact of Rising Anti-Asian Hate Crimes on AAPI Communities in Kentucky
Tanaka, K. (PI)
University of Kentucky UNITE Research Priority Area
10/25/21 → 10/24/22
Project: Research project
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Extending Roots of Fresh Stop Markets Across the Southeast Region
Tanaka, K. (PI) & Rignall, K. (CoI)
4/1/18 → 9/30/21
Project: Research project
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Impacts of Value-Based Supply Chains on Small and Medium Sized Farms
Tanaka, K. (PI)
9/1/15 → 6/30/19
Project: Research project
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Impacts of Value-Based Supply Chains on Small and Medium Sized Farms
Tanaka, K. (PI)
1/15/15 → 8/31/15
Project: Research project
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BOOST H2O (Helping Hydrologic Outreach) in Indonesia and Turkey
Fryar, A. (PI), Agouridis, C. (CoI), Hanley, C. (CoI), Reed, M. (CoI) & Tanaka, K. (CoI)
9/13/12 → 3/31/14
Project: Research project
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Introduction: Seeing Race in Rural Space.
Harvey, M., Tanaka, K., Robinson, K. & Carter, A., 2026, (Accepted/In press) Seeing Race in Rural Space: Racialized Structures and Frames in the U.S.. Robinson, K., Harvey, M., Carter, A. & Tanaka, K. (eds.). University of North Carolina PressResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Seeing Race in Rural Space: Racialized Structures and Frames in the U.S.
Robinson, K., Harvey, M., Carter, A. & Tanaka, K., 2026, (Accepted/In press) University of North Carolina Press. (Rural Studies Series)Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
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The Problem of Colorblindness in Rural United States and Rural Scholarship
Harvey, M., Tanaka, K., Robinson, K. & Carter, A., 2026, (Accepted/In press) Seeing Race in Rural Space: Racialized Structures and Frames in the U.S.. Robinson, K., Harvey, M., Carter, A. & Tanaka, K. (eds.). University of North Carolina PressResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Building Sustainable Agrifood Systems & Resilient Rural Communities: Lessons from Japan
Jussaume, R. A. (Editor), Tanaka, K. (Editor) & Sakamoto, K. (Editor), 2025, 266 p. (Environment and Society)Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
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Conclusion: Lessons from Japan
Tanaka, K., Jussaume, R. A. & Sakamoto, K., 2025, Building Sustainable Agrifood Systems and Resilient Rural Communities in Japan. p. 225-232 8 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Prizes
Activities
- 4 Membership of network
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Lexington Get HAAPI (Event)
Wu, D. (Chair) & Tanaka, K. (Member)
May 5 2023Activity: Membership › Membership of network
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Lexington Get HAAPI (Event)
Tanaka, K. (Member) & Wu, D. (Chair)
May 19 2023Activity: Membership › Membership of network
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Get HAAPI (External organization)
Tanaka, K. (Chair) & Jun, P. (Chair)
2024 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of network
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UK Asian/Asian American & Pacific Islander Alumni Network (External organization)
Tanaka, K. (Member)
2024 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of network