Ecology and society

Humans shape all of today’s ecosystems, meaning that ecology has to reckon with this in its operations. In most ecological research fields, humans are included as ‘impact on ecosystems’, leaving the study of humans themselves and their relationship to nature to the social sciences and humanities. The subunit ‘Ecology and Society’ aims to redress this by positioning itself in between these scientific spheres and focusing explicitly on social, human and cultural dimensions of ecology as a field of research and manifestation of ideas and practices within society. We take ecology as a foundation and typically–but not exclusively–work on aspects concerning biodiversity, asking questions such as how are ecological concepts and problems understood? How are interests organised and by whom? What are their worldviews and values? What are the perceived problems and solutions? What role is played by new technologies and data?  

Way of thinking and doing

Environmental monitoring and long-term research is one of our main focal areas. Here, we investigate ‘ways of thinking and doing’ of ecology as a field of research and practice, including how it influences policy and wider society. This includes investigations into relationships between experiential and scientific knowledge, data-gathering practices within environmental citizen science and biodiversity politics at the local, national or EU level. 

Human-nature relations

Human-nature relations is another main focal  area. Here our research examines how nature is experienced, represented and made meaningful through digital technologies and media infrastructures. This includes studying livestreamed wildlife broadcasts, citizen science apps and online communities to understand how people engage with biodiversity in everyday and mediated contexts. Through digital ethnography, discourse analysis and mixed methods, we explore how these mediated encounters contribute to emotional, sensory and social connections with nature. Particular attention is given to how public service media, seasonal rituals and participatory platforms foster collective experiences of nature, influence environmental imaginaries, and potentially inspire conservation awareness or action. This work contributes to broader debates on environmental communication, digital culture and the role of technology in shaping contemporary human–nature relationships.

Links 

Showcase
Safeguard
Valor
Mistra Environmental Communication