Whitney Sanford, associate professor of religion at the University of Florida, will deliver a lecture on “Gandhi’s Environmental Legacy: Food Sovereignty and Social Movements” at Coastal Carolina University’s Wall Auditorium on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. A reception will take place in the anteroom of the Wall Auditorium after the lecture. The event, part of the Nancy A. Smith Distinguished Visitors Series, is free and open to the public.

Sanford will describe Gandhi's influence on environmental sustainability and food and water sovereignty movements. She will address issues relating to famine, food, agriculture and religion by discussing how international communities work together to address poverty and food shortages through collective action.

Sanford earned a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree and Ph.D in religious studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She has written two scholarly books on Hinduism as well as articles for publications such as the Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics and the Journal of the American Academy of Religion.

The discussion is being sponsored by Nancy A. Smith Distinguished Visitors Series, with help from the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies of the Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts.

For more information, contact the University’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at 843-349-6635.