We are excited to announce the launch of Earth to Research, a new podcast dedicated to rethinking research in the context of ecological crisis. This series offers a space for researchers, educators, and students to reflect on values, explore interdisciplinary approaches, and consider how research practices can align with environmental justice.
Hosted by our colleague Dr. Lucy Sabin, the podcast is supported by Vrije Universiteit Open Science. It addresses both the ethical and practical dimensions of sustainable research, offering insights and tools for anyone seeking to integrate environmental awareness into their work.
The first three episodes are now available:
Episode 1 – Transformative Research (Part One): Storytelling and Solidarity
In the inaugural episode, Lucy Sabin is joined by Josephine Chambers (Utrecht University) and Rianne Janssen (University of Amsterdam) to discuss what transformative research looks like in times of ecological and social crisis. They explore how storytelling can help researchers examine their values, imagine alternative futures, and foster solidarity.
Episode 2 – Transformative Research (Part Two): Emotions and Justice
Continuing the conversation, this episode examines the emotional and justice-oriented aspects of research. Drawing on Ursula Le Guin’s The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, the discussion highlights how imagination, self-reflection, and confronting discomfort can connect knowledge to action and support the pursuit of more just futures.
Episode 3 – Myths and Rituals: Art-Science, Sustainable Technology, and Degrowth
Lucy Sabin speaks with Sofia Greaves, artistic researcher and cultural historian, about the intersections of art and science, sustainable technologies, and degrowth. They consider how collaborative approaches can create new narratives for environmental justice and reflect on the role of creativity, imagination, and reflexivity in research and policy.
The podcast is available on multiple platforms:
Listen to the first three episodes and join a community of researchers committed to rethinking research practices in a changing world. Stay tuned for more episodes coming soon.