The politics of environmental knowledge

• Theme 1: The power and politics of (expert) environmental knowledge

Environmental governance depends on expert knowledge of various kinds, but these are never neutral tools. They carry with them risks of scientification, depoliticisation, and technocratic forms of governance and may favour certain interests over others. In this session, we address two related questions. First, how does expert knowledge shape the ways in which infrastructures, technologies, and environments (natural and social) are created, negotiated, and governed? And second, which interests, perspectives, and environmental problems are left out when expert knowledge defines environments?

• Theme 2: Art, activism, and critical research in environmental politics

How do different forms of knowledge, such as art, activism, and critical research, contribute to our understanding of current environmental challenges? What are their roles in creating and managing our natural and social environments? And how can they open up closed spaces in environmental politics and highlight marginalised interests, perspectives, and environmental problems?

• Theme 3: Challenging borders

In this theme, we explore collaborations between environmental researchers, artists, and activists and across geographical/theoretical borders. It is often at the intersection of the different domains and fields that spaces for change emerge. When is such transdisciplinary/transboundary work useful or justified? When is it difficult? How can it shed light on environmental problems? What can we learn from each other to transcend these challenges?

• Deadline for applications: 17 March
• Confirmation by: 1 April
• Dates and time: 23 May 11.30 to 24 May 15.30
• Place: Stockholm, exact location to be confirmed
• Travel and accommodation costs of presenters will be covered, subject to availability of funds

Day 1:
11.30 Arrivals
12.00-13.30 Lunch
13.30-15.00 Panel and discussion
15.00-15.30 Coffee
15.30-17.30 Presentations in breakout sessions
17.30 Reception

Day 2:
9.00-9.30 Informal mingle and coffee
9.30-12.00 Presentations in breakout sessions
12.00-13.30 Lunch
13.30-15.00 Discussion and wrap-up
15.00-15.30 Coffee