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Student Report on the Eco-Emancipation Conference

Reported by Cody Schmidt, class of 2025, and Grace Kelly, class of 2025

DKU’s Eco-Emancipation conference gathered international scholars to explore approaches to environmental justice, rights of nature, and themes in human-environment relationality. Through lectures, discussion, and spirited debates, participants imagined liberation beyond modern anthropocentric frameworks.

The Humanities Research Center held a three-day conference titled “Eco-Emancipation: Reimagining Sustainability, Justice, and Liberation” from April 10th to 12th. Hosted by DKU professors Quinlan Bowman and Robin Rodd, the conference brought together a number of scholars—both in-person and virtual—from across the globe to discuss novel ideas concerning the rights of nature, bioculturalism, and the interconnectedness between humans and their environment.
The conference drew its name and themes from a recently published book by Sharon Krause, a professor of political science at Brown University, titled Eco-Emancipation: An Earthly Politics of Freedom. In her book, Krause offers a political framework for environmental justice and argues for greater constraints on domination and exploitation, both regarding humans and what she refers to as the “more-than-human,” topics which were referenced throughout the conference.
Keynote speaker Robyn Eckersley (University of Melbourne) opened the conference on April 10th with a lecture tracing the history of non-anthropocentric political theories, from early religion-inspired stewardship to modern legislative methods. Eckersley’s address set the stage for the days ahead, followed by an opening reception and a student panel on eco-emancipation and sustainability.

Sharon Krause began the first full day of speakers with an overview and expansion on the themes of her book. Speaking via Zoom, she built upon the need for a non-anthropocentric transition and recognition of nature’s rights through its representation in political systems. Renee Richer (DKU) spoke next, exploring the colonial history of invasive species, followed by Robyn Eckersley, who spoke on the practice of eco-emancipation and its tangible processes and outcomes. Joining virtually, Alf Hornberg (Lund University) discussed the need for humans to reorient their actions and thoughts in response to a rapidly changing biosphere, adapting to match the seriousness of the climate crisis. Lisa Ellis (University of Otago) and Marion Hourdequin (Colorado College), both joining online as well, presented ideas for achieving a post-extractivist, eco-emancipatory world. Ellis analyzed New Zealand’s rights of nature legislation, and Hourdequin argued for the interpretation of certain ethical choices as political. Hans Baer (University of Melbourne) closed this day of lectures with a critique of the aviation industry and its effects on the environment.

The final day began with co-host Robin Rodd detailing biocultural efforts in the Paraguay-Paraná watershed, where a collective of Argentinian activists is creating economic and social empowerment for communities. Miguel Rojas-Sotelo (Duke University) and Isabel Altamirano-Jimenez (University of Alberta) spoke on indigenous cosmologies and associated rejections of anthropocentrism in favor of eco-relationality. Rowan Alcock (Tsinghua University) presented his current project on post-growth values in Chinese communities, primarily through the care of collectives. Eben Kirksey (University of Oxford) spoke on how social inequities and exploitative industry practices shape humans’ vulnerability to viruses, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference concluded with co-host Quinlan Bowman’s preview of his forthcoming paper, which interrogates the idea of a societal “overlapping consensus” on eco-emancipation as presented by Krause.

Each talk was followed by a Q&A, during which lively, stimulating debates engaged guest scholars, DKU professors, and students in discussion. The result was a dynamic exchange of ideas from global yet intersecting perspectives, leaving participants eager to continue to reimagine what true sustainability and eco-emancipation might look like.

Eco-Emancipation | Gaza’s Genocide/Ecocide, Technolibertarian Warfare, and the Seeds of Survival

What does survival look like in the ruins of environmental devastation and militarized control? How can art and visual culture confront genocidal violence and offer radical hope?

The Humanities Research Center at Duke Kunshan University is honored to host Professor T.J. Demos (History of Art and Visual Culture, UC Santa Cruz) for a timely and urgent lecture exploring the intersections of political violence, ecological destruction, and speculative futures.

Eco-Emancipation| Eben Kirksey at DKU: Workshop & Public Lecture

We are pleased to welcome Professor Eben Kirksey, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Oxford, for two events at Duke Kunshan University:


Workshop :Multispecies Ethnography and Tactical Media

Date: Tuesday, April 15

Time: 2:45 PM – 5:15 PM

Location: WDR 3002


Public Lecture: Decentered Multispecies Design

Date: Thursday, April 17

Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: IB Lecture Hall

Join Us For Prof. Eben Kirksey Lecture: Big Sugar Made Big COVID: How Metabolic Rifts Made Us Vulnerable to a Virus

Why are coronaviruses actively circulating among people and animals? Is the common narrative about Wuhan as the epicenter of COVID-19 fundamentally flawed? How has industrial agriculture—especially sugar production—disrupted ecological and metabolic processes, making both bats and humans more vulnerable to pandemics?

In this compelling lecture, Professor Eben Kirksey (University of Oxford) presents insights from extended field research in Southeast Asia using multispecies ethnographic methods. By tracing the connections between deforestation, bat stress, and viral spillover, this talk will challenge mainstream pandemic narratives and propose a broader understanding of ecological vulnerability.

Film Screening & Director Q&A : Documenting the History and Global Urgency of Environmental Justice

Join us for an enlightening lecture by Professor Robyn Eckersley!

Title: Purposes Beyond Ourselves: The Past, Present, and Future of Nonanthropocentric Environmental Political Theory

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025

Time: 15:00-16:30

Location: Visitor Center

In this compelling lecture, Professor Robyn Eckersley will take us on a journey through the rise and evolution of nonanthropocentric environmental political theory (EPT) since the 1990s. Drawing inspiration from the rapid development of environmental philosophy in the 1980s, she will revisit key debates about the meaning, possibility, and desirability of nonanthropocentrism.

The lecture will critically compare the first wave of EPT with the new materialist and posthumanist-inspired theories of the new Millennium. It will also reflect on the challenges of defending “ecological purposes beyond ourselves” in a world marked by growing inequality, political polarization, and the hollowing out of democracy.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with one of the leading voices in environmental political theory and to reflect on the future of ecocentric advocacy. Don’t miss it!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Eco-Emancipation Conference 2025 | Call for Student Panelists! 

Are you passionate about the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice? Do you want to share your ideas and engage in meaningful discussions with peers and scholars?

Join us for the Student Panel on April 10, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM, as part of the Eco-Emancipation Conference at Duke Kunshan University! This is your chance to discuss, debate, and share your perspectives on eco-emancipation and its role in shaping a sustainable and just future.

Inspired by Sharon Krause’s groundbreaking book, Eco-Emancipation: An Earthly Politics of Freedom, this panel invites students to take the spotlight and contribute to the conversation. Food and refreshments will be provided, making it a perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded peers in a relaxed setting.

Why participate?

Engage with experts & leading scholars

Share your perspectives in the Student Panel

Access free books & materials on eco-emancipation

Enjoy complimentary refreshments & network with like-minded peers

✨ Food and refreshment will be provided.

Scan to Sign Up

 

Join Us For Eco-Emancipation Conference!

Hosted at Duke Kunshan University, this three-day event will bring together scholars to examine pressing issues surrounding environmental justice, biocultural rights, and post-growth futures. Through keynote talks, panel discussions, and workshops, participants will explore the complexities of eco-emancipation and the evolving relationships between humans and the natural world.

We welcome all those interested in these critical discussions to join us in exploring new perspectives and solutions. By challenging dominant frameworks and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, this conference aims to inspire bold ideas and concrete actions toward a more just and ecologically responsible future.

Conference Schedule

April 10, 2025

Time Theme Speaker/Activity Duration
15:00-16:30 Purposes beyond ourselves: the past, present and future of nonanthropocentric environmental political theory Robyn Eckersley University of Melbourne 90min (incl. Q&A)
16:30-17:30 Reception Dinner 60min
17:30-19:00 Student Panel Student Presentations 90min

April 11, 2025

Time Speaker Duration
Morning Session:

9:00-11:30

Sharon Krause (Zoom)

Brown University

– [TBD]

30min + 30min Q&A
Marion Hourdequin (Zoom)

Colorado College

– Eco-Emancipation from the Ground Up: Rekindling Responsible Relations

20min + 20min Q&A
Robyn Eckersley

University of Melbourne

– Purposes beyond ourselves: the past, present and future of nonanthropocentric environmental political theory

20min + 20min Q&A
Afternoon Session:

15:00-17:30

Alf Hornborg (Zoom)

Lund University

– Thinking with the world: The challenge of adapting human agency to the remainder of the biosphere

20min + 20min Q&A
Lisa Ellis (Zoom)

University of Otago

– Beyond Extractivism in Theory and Practice

20min + 20min Q&A
Renee Richer

Duke Kunshan University

– White Man’s Footprints

20min + 20min Q&A

 

April 12, 2025

Time Speaker Duration
Morning Session:

9:00-11:45

T. J. Demos (Zoom)

UC Santa Cruz

– Gaza’s Genocide/Ecocide, Technolibertarian Warfare, and the Seeds of Survival

20min + 20min Q&A
Isabel Altamirano-Jimenez

University of Alberta

– Towards an Indigenous Understanding of Life Making Relationships

20min + 20min Q&A
Miguel Rojas-Sotelo

Duke University

– At the Center of the World: Tombs, Weed, Coca, War, and Peace.

20min + 20min Q&A
Robin Rodd

Duke Kunshan University

– Biocultural rights as emancipatory vector

20min + 20min Q&A
Afternoon Session:

15:00-17:30

Rowan Alcock

Tsinghua University

– Postfiguring and Prefiguring Post-Growth China? Reclaiming the Commons Through Radical Care.

20min + 20min Q&A
Eben Kirksey

University of Oxford

– Big Sugar Made Big COVID: How Metabolic Rifts Made Us Vulnerable to a Virus

20min + 20min Q&A
Quinlan Bowman

Duke Kunshan University

– [TBD]

20min + 20min Q&A

 

Speaker List

 

Alf Hornborg

Lund University

https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/alf-hornborg

 

Eben Kirksey

University of Oxford

https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-eben-kirksey 
Isabel Altamirano-Jimenez

University of Alberta

https://apps.ualberta.ca/directory/person/isabel
Lisa Ellis

University of Otago

https://www.otago.ac.nz/philosophy/our-people/academic-staff/lisa-ellis 
Marion Hourdequin https://www.coloradocollege.edu/basics/contact/directory/people/hourdequin_marion_elizabeth.html

 

Miguel Rojas-Sotelo

Duke University

https://scholars.duke.edu/person/miguel.rojassotelo 
T. J. Demos

UC Santa Cruz

https://tjdemos.sites.ucsc.edu

 

Quinlan Bowman

Duke Kunshan University

https://www.quinlanbowman.com/

 

Robyn Eckersley

University of Melbourne

https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/1470-robyn-eckersley 
Robin Rodd

Duke Kunshan University

https://faculty.dukekunshan.edu.cn/faculty_profiles/robin-rodd

 

Rowan Alcock

Tsinghua University

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rowan-Alcock

 

Renee Richer

Duke Kunshan University

https://faculty.dukekunshan.edu.cn/faculty_profiles/renee-richer

 

Sharon Krause

Brown University

https://vivo.brown.edu/display/srkrause?utm