About the research group
Environmental research on the Middle East and North Africa (the MENA region) is mostly dominated by studies with a social-science approach. These studies are focused on how governments respond to climate challenges and the adoption of renewable energy.
The research group "al-ARD" aims to contribute new knowledge about how environmental changes are addressed by ordinary citizens in the region. With an interdisciplinary approach, we will study people's daily lives, their responses, and practices in the face of environmental degradation. We will also explore how these issues are represented in cultural expressions.
Research interests
Our research draws on original empirical studies from multiple locations in the Middle East, both historical and contemporary. It will particularly emphasize women’s agency.
The research group takes the Middle East region as a vantage point to study the intersection between 'care' and 'crisis' on a theoretical level. 'Care' is a key concept in gender studies and environmental humanities, while 'crisis' refers to political crises such as wars and revolutions, as well as ecological crises.
Al-ARD's core group consists of researchers with expertise in history, literature, social anthropology, religion, the Middle East, and environmental humanities.
The research group is part of the strategic research initiative, Oslo Center for Environmental Humanities (OCEH).
