ANdinA’s unique workshops are held every 1-2 years in beautiful locations around the world to address critical challenges in ecology and conservation. This ANdinA, held in collaboration with the AIB Trinity Climate Hub, aims to explore plausible futures for biodiversity in a world of rapid and intense change. We will bring together 27 international ecologists, conservation biologists, modellers, and those from the social sciences and arts and humanities, one third of whom are in their early scientific careers, to think critically, walk, and reflect in nature, to answer the critical question: how can we explore and rewrite the story of the future of biodiversity? This unique “walkshop” will take place in the beautiful landscapes of the Burren in Ireland from 7-11 June 2027.
The Challenge
Global environmental change is driving large-scale changes to biodiversity across the world. Despite unprecedented volumes of biodiversity data, we continue to see limited political action, public engagement, and imagination over the future of biodiversity and ecosystems. Neither persistent doom nor blind faith solve the biodiversity crisis. It is clear we need new approaches that explore plausible ecological futures, including rewriting futures that are achievable, but compelling. For people to care, understand, and act on biodiversity futures, we need more than just data and warnings. We need stories and narratives that complement other forms of evidence.
This workshop will bring together an interdisciplinary group of scholars to examine and rewrite the narratives that underpin biodiversity futures relevant to both policy and practice. We will build on the “storyline” approach, which uses risk- and evidence-based narratives to convert complex data into relatable, decision-relevant accounts of plausible futures. This means moving beyond forecasts of extinctions, tipping points, and resilience, to develop storylines that integrate key ecological processes, human actions, and societal values. Through collaborative discussion, walking in nature, and reflection, participants will work together to co-create alternative futures that are both scientifically plausible and capable of informing real-world decisions.
Great Value!
Join us in this critical and dynamic discussion with scholars from around the world to explore the future of biodiversity. We want to build a shared vision for how biodiversity futures can be explored and communicated, and from this write meaningful publications and plan further work together. The price for everything (attendance, accommodation, meals, local transport) is just €1340 for established scientists and, thanks to sponsorship by the AIB Trinity Climate Hub, € 0 for early career researchers (you just have to get there!). For more information get in touch with Roger Cousens rcousens@unimelb.edu.au.
We define an early career researcher as someone who has a PhD that they completed in the last 5 years or – in exceptional circumstances – if they are nearing completion of their PhD and have a track record in making substantive contributions to debates.
Future Biodiversity - How can we explore and rewrite its story? 