Divya Tolia-Kelley has asked me to forward this CFP to the list. Apologies
for cross postings, Steve
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Cultural Geographies of 'Native' and 'Non-native' Natures
Call for Papers: RGS/IBG Conference: 3oth August - 1st September 2005 London
Session Organisers: Divya Tolia-Kelly (Durham) and Kezia Barker (UCL)
Supported by the Social and Cultural Geography Research Group
In recent research in cultural geography (e.g. Ecos vol 23, 2002 and
Clarke, 2003) new debates on the categorisation and normalisation of
'native' and 'alien' species have erupted. These debates are occurring in
the context of tightening legislation on global biosecurity, as countries
seek to protect their natural and agricultural systems from the perceived
threat of alien invasives. These legislative moves could be seen to stand
in conflict with arguments for a new cosmopolitanism, and a call within
cultural studies for non-essential approaches to cultural, biological and
material citizenship. Others may argue that as the second leading cause of
biodiversity loss worldwide (according to the Convention on Biological
Diversity), this academic sensibility towards invasive alien species is
taking the 'hype of hybridity' (Mitchell, 1997) too far.
This session seeks to address the debate that denotes 'alien' and 'native'
nature as cultural categories, but will also attempt to move beyond more
established ideas of 'national natures'. This would include an
investigation of the concept of ecological citizenship, and the inflection
of these debates in scientific, policy-related, and public environmental
practices. We welcome papers that are tackling social and cultural
constructions of natures within the literatures of citizenship, belonging,
and notions of natural 'dwelling' and territorial ethics.
Papers may reflect current research on:-
Cosmopolitan natures;
Biosecurity and Citizenship;
Natural Citizenship;
Cultures of race, belonging and borders;
Moral geographies of the native;
Ecological racism.
Cultural geographies of the 'non-native'
For more information or to submit an abstract (200 words), please contact
either Kezia Barker [log in to unmask] or Divya Tolia-Kelly
[log in to unmask]
Deadline for abstracts: Wednesday 25th January 2006.
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