MacKenzie Wade

MacKenzie Wade is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Anthropology. She studies changing cultural perceptions of edible insects and participates in community education of the environmental, social, and health impact of the food we eat. She began “farming” mealworms in 2014 and has since spoken publicly on the potential benefits of edible insects. MacKenzie has brought the discussion of food sustainability, security, and the future to the local Santa Barbara community through her platform, Santa Barbara Bugs. She has spoken for and shared bugs with community members in many different local venues including Girl Scout troops, county fairs, the UC Global Food Initiative, and the MOXI Museum.

Connect with MacKenzie on LinkedIn.

Read MacKenzie’s post on the Public Humanities Graduate Fellows Blog, which discusses murder hornets, edible insects, and new perspectives on invasive species management. You can find more of her articles on edible insects here.

Visit the Santa Barbara Bugs website and follow MacKenzie on Instagram.

Read about MacKenzie’s internship with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.

Watch MacKenzie’s introduction to the basics of edible insects:

Watch MacKenzie’s Winter 2023 Public Humanities Graduate Fellows Program Capstone Presentation: