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Green Revolutions

Submitted by MaureenA on Tue, 01/31/2012 - 14:34

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15-16 June 2012
St Andrews, Scotland

Green Revolutions: Fiftieth Anniversary of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring

Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring is connected to two (very modern) environmental revolutions. First, she drew attention to a radical change in American ecosystems, widespread chemical pollution. Second, she transformed limited and conservative traditions of conservation into modern environmentalism through a more inclusive and radical criticism of industrial society.

To commemorate the golden anniversary of Silent Spring’s publication, the University of St Andrews is convening a workshop to allow academics the opportunity to present their research on environmental issues. Postgraduates are especially encouraged to apply. Similar to Carson’s work, these ‘revolutions’ can be both radical changes in societal attitudes or physical environments. Although environmental history provides the backbone to this event, it is an inter-disciplinary approach and therefore scholars of ecological economics, sustainable development, geography, political science, and environmental studies are invited to present their research. Such a gathering will help direct historians towards subjects relevant to current policy debates, while more present-minded attendants will gain from a historical perspective. Moreover, this conference presents an opportunity to strengthen ties between environmental institutes in North America, the UK, and continental Europe.

‘Green Revolutions’ will be held in St Andrews, Scotland on June 15-16 2012. Presentations will be 20 minutes long followed by 10 minutes of questions. Participants will receive full boarding and accommodation in St Andrews. A small number of travel subsidies will be provided for overseas participants.

Those interested in presenting should send an abstract of no more than 250 words and a short CV as an attachment to Troy Vettese (tv6@st-andrews.ac.uk).

Deadline: 29 February 2012

The deadline for submission is February 29, 2012. Successful applicants will receive a response in early March.