Imaging the (Eco)Future: Ecotopian Thought in an Age of Climate Breakdown

Informazioni relative al progetto

ECOFUTURE

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 101031697

DOI

10.3030/101031697

Progetto concluso il 31 Dicembre 2021

Data della firma CE 1 Aprile 2021

Data di avvio 1 Settembre 2021

Data di completamento 31 Agosto 2024

Finanziato da

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Costo totale

€ 271 732,80

Contributo UE

€ 271 732,80

Coordinato da

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ECOFUTURE (Imaging the (Eco)Future: Ecotopian Thought in an Age of Climate Breakdown)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-09-01 al 2023-08-31

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

This research investigates the lack of critical attention to the presence, absence and function of ‘ecotopian’, or ecologically-ideal, visions of the future within ecocriticism and within contemporary climate change discourse. Whereas recent years have seen a huge rise in the number of dystopian depictions of the future, in an age of climate breakdown, from the mid-century, the presence of ecotopian visions of the future have significantly diminished. In many ways, this is entirely understandable, as the multiple environmental crises facing the planet have significantly worsened between 1945 and the present. However, this research asks what the role and function of ecotopian visions of the future are, both in contemporary climate change writing, and in environmental writing from 1945. It also investigates how ecotopian visions of the future have changed from the mid-century to the present day, and why ecocriticism has not meaningfully engaged with ecotopia's role. In a linked public engagement study, the research also explores the potential function of ecotopian thinking and writing as an engagement tool, asking whether engaging with positive environmental futures can motivate the public, and researchers, towards sustainable behaviours. Crucially, this work will help to understand the role, function and history of ecotopian visions of the future, and assess what we might have lost through the disappearance of ecotopian ideas of our future in the 'Age of the Anthropocene'. It will also ask what we might gain from embracing ecotopian thinking and writing as an environmental engagement tool.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

During this reporting window, I conducted research towards the project’s literature review and innovative critical methodology. This research lays the groundwork for a proposed monograph on ecotopia and for a proposed article on ecotopia’s absence within ecocriticism. I also developed my international research networks and experience, and my knowledge and expertise of interdisciplinary, international environmental humanities research, during a productive 3-month secondment/residency at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society in Munich. In October, I presented the first research paper on this new work at a University of Bristol Centre for Health, Humanities and Science research colloquium. I terminated the Marie Curie grant early (after 4 months) in December 2021, in order to take up a new permanent academic appointment.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

The project has not had a wider societal impact so far (as I have had to terminate the grant early). However, the research so far has been very promising, indicating the need for the project and also revealing the emergence of a resurgence of ecotopian visions of the future within very recent climate change discourse that I had not anticipated finding -- and which I will continue to investigate.

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