Oecologies

Œcologies is a research cluster that gathers scholars from the humanities situated or engaged with the environment of the North American Pacific coast to investigate the idea of “oecology,” an older spelling of the concept “ecology.” We use this defamiliarizing spelling because our research rethinks “ecology” with texts and concepts that predate or even oppose the taxonomies of the European Enlightenment. Our research asks what conceptual or metaphorical resources might help us, as scholars living and working in a time of extreme ecological precarity, to reorient our perceptions about ecological pasts, presents, and futures. With particular attention to the histories of imperialism and colonial exploitation, our research investigates the ecological, economic, and cultural relations among humans and nonhumans in the premodern world. We also ask how our regionally and temporally specific conceptions draw / differ from / shed light upon other inhabitations of the world. 

Oecologies: Inhabiting Premodern Worlds (Oe) is a regional research cluster, open to all scholars from the North American West Coast whose work coheres with our mission to engage premodern ecologies and their relation to our own locations. With no dues, no journal, and no standing conference, we explore possibilities for collaborative work as they arise from members’ initiatives and interests.

We hope to support and be a part of your innovative projects. Take a look at Oe’s various initiatives, and see if they are of the kind to inspire you to participate. For more information or to get involved, please contact us at Oecologies@gmail.com