Ecopolitical Mapping: A Multispecies Research Methodology for Environmental Communication

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18046/recs.i36.5275

Keywords:

Creative Methodologies, Collective Mapping, Environmental Communication, Multispecies Research, Cohabitation, Coexistence

Abstract

Ecopolitical Mapping is a methodology which seeks to map encounters of love and disaster between humans and their more-than-human surroundings. This methodology, first coined by an transdisciplinary group of artists and researchers in South Chile, unfolds through collective mapping sessions using an ecopolitical approach to trace the power relationships between different species-beings. In this research document, we unpack our engagements with this methodology in three different scales and territories: the Biobío Watershed (Chile), Berlin City (Germany) and Europe (Continent). Each case presented a strong environmental communication component, which ended up with the translation of the stories of the encounters into illustrated maps. The methodological approach proposed here is intimate, political and situated. The map evolves from a supposed politically neutral artifact into a tool for environmental education, communication, and activism. We offer the notionand approach, hoping that this methodology can be practiced and refined by other humans, allies of the tentacle kinship.

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Author Biographies

  • Jens Benöhr, LMU München

    LMU München

  • Maike Brinksma, Wageningen University and Research

    MSc International Land and Water Management. Wageningen University.

  • Ross Donihue, Maps for Good

    Geographer and visual storyteller. Yale University & Maps for Good.

  • David Farò, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento

    University of Trento, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering.

  • Antonia Lara, Artista Freelance

    Independent artist.

  • Kara Lena Virik, TU Berlin

    Urban Researcher, Landscape Architect, Technical University Berlin.

  • Alejandro Ponce de León, University of California

    PhD candidate in Cultural Studies. University of California, Davis.

  • Cristian Toro, Centro Cultural Toda la Teoría del Universo

    Independent artist.

  • Bastian Gygli, Montaraz Comunicaciones

    Universidad de Concepción.

  • Daniel Romo, Fundación Senderismo y Naturaleza

    Senderismo y Naturaleza Educación.

  • Franziska E. Walther, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

    Msc student. Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin,
    Germany.

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Published

2022-03-30

How to Cite

Benöhr, J., Brinksma, M., Donihue, R., Farò, D., Lara, A., Virik, K. L., Ponce de León, A., Toro, C., Gygli, B., Romo, D., & Walther, F. E. (2022). Ecopolitical Mapping: A Multispecies Research Methodology for Environmental Communication. Revista CS, (36), 317-343. https://doi.org/10.18046/recs.i36.5275