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Inside the Activist's Studio Events
Inside the Activist's Studio Events
Palm-to-Palm hosts Inside the Activist Studio, an event series spotlighting activists and changemakers confronting the global impacts of unsustainable palm oil. Each session brings together voices from both inside and outside academia — from grassroots organizers to policy researchers — to share their stories, strategies, and visions for a more just and sustainable future.
Join us as we explore how creative resistance, research, and collaboration can drive real change in the palm oil industry and beyond.
Check out our past events below:
Palm Oil Production at a Crossroads: An Historical Lens and the Future of Tropical Sustainability
Palm Oil Production at a Crossroads: An Historical Lens and the Future of Tropical Sustainability
March 11th, 2026
Featuring:
Featuring:
Dr. Marc Ancrenaz, Co-Director, HUTAN-Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project, Malaysian Borneo, will share insights from decades of research on orangutans, forest management, and community-centered conservation in Borneo.
Dr. Marc Ancrenaz, Co-Director, HUTAN-Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project, Malaysian Borneo, will share insights from decades of research on orangutans, forest management, and community-centered conservation in Borneo.
Dr. Valeria Giacomin, Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University, Italy, will explore how global palm oil supply chains evolved, and what that history reveals about today’s climate, labor, and land-use challenges. Her presentation was exclusive to the live event.
Dr. Valeria Giacomin, Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University, Italy, will explore how global palm oil supply chains evolved, and what that history reveals about today’s climate, labor, and land-use challenges. Her presentation was exclusive to the live event.
Summary of Dr. Valeria Giacomin's Presentation
Main argument: The emerging system was designed to control supplies and created a legacy of ecological vulnerability
Monocropping dependence weakened resilience of agro-ecosystems
Plantation expansion became necessary as land was overworked
Ecological destruction arose from need to maximize yields (e.g., forest cover across Southeast Asia severely destroyed), externalized outside extractive market economics
Competition with indigenous companies prompted the Global North to diversify into palm oil
Colonial governance frameworks which supported the industrialization of the rubber industry carried over to oil palm production
Tension between conservation, supporting local livelihoods, and palm oil land efficiency today manifests from colonial power dynamics
Closing Remarks:
Monocropping created global dominance but sowed the seeds of their demise
Preservation of the colonial plantation model allowed for the adoption of palm from the rubber industry thereby deepening ecological vulnerability
The emergence of conservation was born from the ecological crisis but functioned as a form of governance, blurring the lines of scientific ethics with economic and political control
The dynamics produced a lasting legacy: environmental vulnerability, institutional rigidity, and a continued tension global sustainability norms and reality
From habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss to the complex historical forces behind plantation expansion, palm oil’s global journey raises urgent environmental and social questions. To build a more sustainable future, we need to understand how these systems became so deeply interconnected.
Together, they will unpack how past and present decisions shape the landscapes, livelihoods, and species at risk today. Expect a lively, thought-provoking discussion that connects on-the-ground conservation with global historical perspective, highlighting how policy shifts, consumer choices, and community-driven initiatives can support more equitable and ecologically sound food systems.
What’s on your Plate? Choosing a More Sustainable Food System
What’s on your Plate? Choosing a More Sustainable Food System
October 16th, 2025
Featuring:
Featuring:
Dr. Alain Rival, French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD)
Dr. Alain Rival, French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD)
Mr. Keith Soster, Director of Student Engagement - MDining University of Michigan
Mr. Keith Soster, Director of Student Engagement - MDining University of Michigan
Dr. Sara Soderstrom, Associate Professor of Organizational Studies and Program in the Environment; Director of Program in the Environment
Dr. Sara Soderstrom, Associate Professor of Organizational Studies and Program in the Environment; Director of Program in the Environment
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Feeling overwhelmed by today’s sustainability challenges? Start with one simple step: say no to unsustainable palm oil.
Palm-to-Palm held a compelling conversation with changemakers working to transform our global food systems. Discover how local choices—like rethinking palm oil—can drive global impact, support ecosystems, and uplift communities in the Global South.
Let’s explore sustainability, equity, and actionable solutions. From Michigan to the Global South—everything is connected.
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