PhD Course in ‘Environment, Expertise and Development’ at University of Copenhagen
Between August 11th and 14th the scholars Arun Agrawal, Jesse Ribot and Andrea Nightingale visited Department of Food and Resource Economics for a PhD course arranged by Professor Christian Lund and Associate Professor Jens Friis Lund. Marie and Annemiek participated.
Taking a point of departure in Political Ecology (PE) and Science and Technology Studies (STS), the course explores different ways of knowing the environment. By revisiting the epistemological level of different knowledge modes (positivists and interpretative knowledge) the course covered a variety of themes related to perceiving and approaching nature, the contextualisation of climate change vulnerability and risk; benefits of and critiques on project evaluation strategies; methodological ways of constructing and using a case; and mis-matches in the politics of knowledge formation.
Futhermore, the participants received feed-back from the senior lecturers on their own project works based on a paper written previously to the course which they discussed in groups. Besides the opportunity to obtain interesting insights in ones own project and writings, there was ample opportunity to interact with the professors as well as the other students who are working on similar issues. And after all, Copenhagen is a beautiful and inspiring place to be.
Written by: Marie Ladekjær Gravesen and Annemiek Pas Schrijver
Photo by: Rebecca Leigh Rutt