In the wake of a global surge in initiatives reshaping the human-nature relationship, this panel proposal seeks to explore the role of “co-creation” as a valuable principle across various disciplines such as ecological restoration and rewilding, permaculture, agroforestry and environmental activism. While there has been a recent increase in attention towards the idea of “co-existence” between humans and wildlife, the concept of "co-creation" has remained underexposed. Originating in activist (and often spiritual) environmentalist circles, the idea of co-creation challenges traditional dualist perspectives that either aim for the human control and management of nature, or, at the other end of the spectrum, condemn every form of human intervention. In contrast, co-creation emphasises entanglement, communication, reciprocity and mutuality, providing benefits for humans and the more-than-human world. In opposition to top-down, unilateral approaches often proposed during crises, co-creation offers an alternative, maintaining a balance between human needs and the inherent value of non-human entities. Therefore it plays a crucial role in preserving natural agency and autonomy whiteout downplaying the role of humans in an ecosystem. The panel aims to explore this overlooked but pivotal potential of co-creation in various practices, from rewilding to sustainable agriculture and environmental activism. Despite the prevailing dichotomy between conservation and agriculture in public discourse, the panel contends that co-creation can serve as a unifying principle, exposing similar attitudes and worldviews among conservationists, agriculturists and activists. 

The panel’s aim is to bring together scholars specializing in sustainable agriculture, food ethics, environmental activism, ecological restoration, wilderness conservation, and rewilding. In providing a space for an interdisciplinary dialogue, we seek to unravel the nuances, limits and potential of co-creation as a transformative idea for sustainable living.

Organizers: Linde De Vroey & Arthur Obst

Please submit abstracts to Linde De Vroey at lindedevroey@gmail.com by 15 December 2023. 

Modality: In-person