European Conservation Humanities Network

• Applicant: Dr. Pavla Simkova
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History ; General and Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies ; Social and Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology ; Human Geography ; History of Science
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 529348290

The aim of the proposed network is to maintain and foster research collaborations in the emergent field of Conservation Humanities. Currently there are a number of humanities researchers engaged in interdisciplinary work on conservation and biodiversity loss, many of whom have sought out opportunities to work closely with conservation practitioners in local protected areas through externally funded projects. Our network aims to facilitate the sustainability of these working relationships beyond the short-term project funding by creating an overarching community and structures for dialogue and dissemination. Researchers across Germany and in other European countries will profit from the opportunity to learn from each other, from individual projects and case studies, and from associated conservation practitioners from different European locations. The network will also serve to develop and formalise the field of Conservation Humanities within academic institutions in Europe. The proposed network will scale up the reach of Conservation Humanities, bringing together researchers from a number of institutions to cooperate in producing keystone publications and an expanded website, thereby affording the field greater visibility in Europe and beyond. The growth of Conservation Humanities promises to become a significant force in conservation practice. Whilst the need for robust conservation measures to reverse the decline in biodiversity is widely recognized, not least in the European Union's Biodiversity strategy 2030, current measures have not been enough to meet targets. By employing humanities scholarship from across disciplines in dialogue with those charged with protecting nature, Conservation Humanities seeks to make a contribution to the fight to conserve nature and halt biodiversity loss.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Katie Ritson