Bridging continents for ecological transformation
In November 2024, the Sydney Environment Institute welcomed ten colleagues from our partner, the University of Edinburgh, to undertake a week of workshops centred around the SEI’s key current and past themes: transformative governance, environmental imaginaries and storytelling, biodiversity, and community-led energy transition.
The visit was part of a University of Sydney – University of Edinburgh Initiative on Ecological Transformations, bringing together the strengths of both institutions to develop sustainable and inclusive approaches to ecological and social change.
The week kicked off with a field trip to La Perouse, where University of Sydney and University of Edinburgh researchers spent time with the Gamay Rangers, led by Rob Cooley, for a cultural talk and hands-on experience in a chance net haul. Researchers heard about the cultural significance of cultural fishing, and the partnerships the rangers are involved in to continue caring for sea country. The field trip set the scene for a week of conversations about how the partnership can build and develop approaches to address the climate and biodiversity crisis.
The initiative is jointly led by the University of Edinburgh and SEI, and is centred on cross-cultural learning, innovative environmental governance, and democratic responses to ecological crises. As part of the project, researchers from both institutions will engage with communities across Scotland and Australia, exploring local insights into biodiversity preservation, rewilding, and sustainable energy transitions.
SEI Director Professor David Schlosberg and the team aim to amplify community voices, incorporating perspectives that highlight the connections between environmental well-being and social equity for all species.
Key outcomes of the project will include developing methodologies, policies, and community-led practices that support sustainability at multiple levels of governance. Through workshops and knowledge exchange forums, the project hopes to encourage practical, long-term solutions adaptable across diverse communities.
The project aims to develop innovative, community-focused approaches to energy transitions, fostering cross-cultural learning and practical strategies for biodiversity preservation and rewilding. It will explore new forms of environmental governance and democratic innovation, enhancing our understanding of the role of cultural narratives and storytelling in ecological transformation.
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