Living

In this seminar, two colleagues will introduce work that hinges in different ways on the theme of living.

Dr Kadmiel Maseyk (Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences) will discuss work with a Living Lab at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes:

The intersecting nature and climate crises are amongst the most pressing challenges facing society, with implications that stretch from food security to losing areas fit for human habitation. To enable the necessary mitigation and adaptation actions, and the associated changes to behaviour, lifestyle and resource prioritisation, requires an informed and sympathetic public. Key to increasing support for nature and climate action is improving human-nature connection, and the appreciation of the natural world that comes from understanding the issues. To this end, we have recently established Living Lab for nature recovery education, engagement and research, on the OU campus at Walton Hall. Using examples of existing ecosystem types within an urban environment, and an ecosystem restoration project, we will collect a range of data that will be used as part of our undergraduate teaching linking to relevant content. We will use this data to develop teaching resources that can be used more widely, and eventually mov

Professor Graham Harvey (Emeritus Professor in Religious Studies) will discuss the themes of animacy, living and thriving:

In scholarly discussions under the label "new animism" and "new materialism" an early twentieth century conversation about the aliveness of stones has been productive. This is especially so when Indigenous experts have shifted attention from the category "alive" (or "animate") to the encouragement of "living well" (respectfully and lengthily).