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Professor Joseph Bayma, S.J., Scholarship Award

In recognition of having established among colleagues and students a well-deserved reputation for productive, meaningful, and rigorous scholarly or creative work, and for having demonstrated the ability to motivate other scholars or artists, teachers, and learners.

A renowned scholar of agroecology, fair trade practices, and food systems, Chris Bacon has built an outstanding research program that engages students in community-based research on food security and environmental justice.

Since joining SCU, Chris has published more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, many of which include SCU students as coauthors. He has also given numerous conference presentations. His work has received more than 9,000 citations, making him one of the College of Arts and Sciences’ most cited scholars.

Chris’s students work with community partners on projects ranging from sustainable agriculture and food security with farming cooperatives in Nicaragua to food justice initiatives in San José and sustainability efforts at SCU. Through this work, they gain experience conducting rigorous, solutions-oriented research with tangible community impact. His mentorship has helped many students move on to graduate school, receive Fulbright awards, and pursue careers in environmental justice.

Over the course of his career, Chris has built lasting partnerships with farming cooperatives in Nicaragua, food justice organizations throughout Santa Clara County, and campus partners focused on sustainability and food security. These collaborations reflect his long-term commitment to the communities involved.

Congratulations to Chris Bacon, winner of the 2026 Professor Joseph Bayma, S.J. Scholarship Award!