Envisioning utopia? Epistemologies of socio-ecological transformation

Abstract ID: 3.12875
|Review Result Accepted as Talk
|Abstract not registered Abstract not registered
|Presentation Time Slot TBA
|Presentation Location TBA
Kister, J. (1)
Dorn, F. (2); and Hafner, R. (1)
(1) Universität Innsbruck, Innrain, 6020 Innsbruck, AT
(2) University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
How to cite: Kister, J.; Dorn, F.; and Hafner, R.: Envisioning utopia? Epistemologies of socio-ecological transformation, International Mountain Conference 2025, Innsbruck, Sep 14 - 18 2025, #IMC25-3.12875, 2025.
Categories: Equality, Policy, Socio-Ecology, Sustainable Development
Keywords: socio-ecological transformation, society, future, conflict, sustainability
Categories: Equality, Policy, Socio-Ecology, Sustainable Development
Keywords: socio-ecological transformation, society, future, conflict, sustainability
Abstract

In this presentation, we aim at taking a closer look at the strains of argumentation that encompass the term socio-ecological transformation contouring the epistemologies of the concept. Scholars are using it in various ways, e.g., as a strategy to overcome multiple crises by aiming towards a common good but also as an analytical tool. This raises the question, how we as scholars can make use of these epistemologies for researching situated spatial dynamics? Society is heading towards an uncertain future, which opens up a range of directions. If the aim – the desirable future – is a matter of negotiation among different actors and groups, then conflicts can be seen as frictions among differing visions and imaginations of the future. We aim at discussing these epistemologies and the roles of researchers can assume in them.