WS 26.102
Plural Natures and Contested Cultures in Alpine Conservation
Session status: Accepted
Content last updated: 2026-04-14 21:50:08
Online available since: 2025-12-17 09:43:38
Details
Full Title
Plural Natures, Contested Cultures: Critical Reflections and Pluriversal Approaches to Alpine ConservationScheduled
TBATBAChair
Balling, JessicaCo-chair(s)
No co-chair(s) nominatedThematic Focus
Conservation, Culture, Sustainable Development, TourismKeywords
Conservation, Human-nature relations, Socio-ecological transformation, Cultural and political dimensions of conservation
Abstract/Description
The production of nature protection and cultural conservation in Alpine regions, for instance in protected areas, shapes – on the one hand – a diversity of understandings and imaginaries of human-nature-relations (e.g. human and nature as a dichotomy, as well as relational worldviews). On the other hand, their management, implementation and (re-)presentation, for example through tourism or education, creates a wide range of social, political, ecological, and cultural dynamics that extend beyond conservation objectives (and vice versa). These dynamics include, among others, the reinforcement or contestation of cultural and political configurations, such as the construction of social groups, notions of belonging, and socio-spatial understandings of national identities. In practice, understandings of nature(s) and its relationship with humans, as produced through conservation, are deeply interwoven with broader societal implications, making both these dimensions and their interplay the central concern of this session.
Against this background, this session brings together perspectives of researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of environmental protection, cultural conservation, and their broader cultural, political, economic, and societal (side-) effects. The workshop seeks to assemble both critical examinations of how conservation ideals and practices shape human-nature relations and societal configurations, as well as contributions that explore and propose alternative approaches aimed at fostering plural, democratic, and socially just worlds and advancing socio-ecological transformation.
The session aims to encourage critical reflection on how we perceive of conservation and to inspire pathways for rethinking the production, management, and presentation of nature protection and cultural conservation in Alpine regions. Furthermore, it seeks to identify key knowledge gaps, emerging methodologies, and inter- and transdisciplinary approaches that can inform future research, as well as conservation practice and its (re-)presentation.
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-> each line shows one abstract - To get to the review section, please click on the “eye” symbol: of the abstract.
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-> additional, the abstract review area appears below the abstract content. - The review area gives you now a new panel to adjust:
FOR CO-CHAIRS
-> dropdown menu to set a review recommendation (you can overwrite this recommendation as often as you want)
-> optional: comments to share with your chair-colleagues and the organizing committee (max. 50 characters, not visible for the authors of the abstract)
INFO: You can change your review (incl. comments) for an abstract as often as you want until the chair makes the final decision. Changes are overwritten and not archived.
FOR CHAIRS
-> checkbox to set your final review (when activated, you confirm your final choice and will close the review process of this abstract)
-> optional: comments to share with your co-chair(s) and the organizing committee (max. 50 characters, not visible for the authors of the abstract)
INFO: You can leave comments without making your final review as often as you want. Changes are overwritten and not archived. When activating the checkbox, you make your final review and close the review process for this abstract. In case of an erroneous review, you can of course contact us via contact form (please provide the abstract number). You can do the review no matter if your co-chair(s) have already submitted a review recommendation or not.
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