Call for papers – Special Issue
Indigenous Ecological Knowledge in South Asia – Lessons for Rights of Nature Discourses
Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences
Editor-in-Chief: Teresa Lloro
Deadline for submission of papers: 31 May 2025
Please direct inquiries to special issue editor, Dr. Philippe Cullet: pcullet@nlumeg.ac.in
and pc38@soas.ac.uk Context
Rights of nature have caught up the imagination of all stakeholders, in part because this is seen as a potential alternative discourse to the increasingly discredited framing around sustainable development.[1] On the one hand, rights of nature are framed around the need to give effective priority to nature, reflected through an emphasis on ecocentric perspectives, opposed to the anthropocentricity of sustainable development and (international) environmental law.[2] On the other hand, rights of nature debates offer an entry point for addressing the various shortcomings of environmental policy over the past five decades. One of these is the top-down nature of environmental protection measures framed at the national level, or even international level, and trickling down to the local level. The level of engagement with people’s own nature conservation practices and policies has been on the whole relatively limited, as reflected, for instance, in policies favouring participation as part of a process of consultation rather than actual decision making.
In this context, practices, policies and norms of indigenous peoples have been seen as potential anchors for the new environmental policy that needs to be built to address everything, from local environmental crises to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity.[3] In other words, rights of nature could turn out to offer a game-changing discourse by effectively engaging with practices and policies that have proved to be effective in the longer term.
Indigenous environmental knowledge throws a challenge to conventional environmental policy, and also offers an alternative to the ecocentric framing of rights of nature. In this sense, it has the potential to offer a completely different framework for environmental policy of the future. At the same time, one of the reasons why indigenous practices often remain under-researched is because they have not been given the kind of recognition they deserve.
This special issue seeks:
– papers that engage with indigenous ecological knowledge in the broader context of rights of nature in South Asia.
– papers that engage from a variety of disciplines with the policy, law and governance aspects of indigenous ecological knowledge in relation to rights of nature.
– papers that engage with local case studies, national-level framings or South Asia level debates.
– papers that engage with issues related to livelihoods in relation to conservation, collective dimensions of the use and protection of the environment, specific elements of the environment (eg forests, water) are particularly welcome.
[1] eg David R. Boyd, The Rights of Nature: A Legal Revolution that Could Save the World (ECW Press, 2017); M Davies, EcoLaw: Legality, Life, and the Normativity of Nature (Routledge 2022); Craig M. Kauffman and Pamela L. Martin, The Politics of Rights of Nature – Strategies for Building a More Sustainable Future (MIT Press, 2021).
Special Journal Issue: Call for Papers
JESS ISSUE NOTIFICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE OF THE JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SCIENCES. Access via Springer.
Volume 12, issue 3, September 2022
22 articles in this issue
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Assessing the quantity and toxicity of chemical releases from TRI facilities in Upstate New York
Authors (first, second and last of 4)
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Conveying environmental information to fishers: a smartphone application on marine protected areas
Authors (first, second and last of 9)
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Faculty diversity in California environmental studies departments: implications for student learning
Authors (first, second and last of 4)
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The effectiveness of installing solar panels at schools in Pakistan to increase enrolment
Authors (first, second and last of 4)
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Environmental safety of residents of Yakutsk and Zhatay: evidence from sociological research
Authors (first, second and last of 8)
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Buyouts with rentbacks: a policy proposal for managing coastal retreat
Authors (first, second and last of 4)
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Note: AESS Members receive full access to JESS. If you would like to become a member to access JESS, join today!
To submit a piece for publication, review guidelines.
AESS Announces New JESS Editor in Chief
The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences announces the appointment of the new Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Dr. Teresa Lloro, following a competitive international search that attracted highly qualified candidates. The Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences (JESS), the flagship journal of the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS), was established in 2010. JESS is published by Springer, part of Springer Nature. The journal offers a venue for relevant interdisciplinary environmental research, practice and public policy dialogue.
Dr. Lloro is an Associate Professor in the Liberal Studies Department and is an Affiliated Faculty with the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Her degrees include a B.S. Biology, University of Redlands, USA, M.S. in Environmental Studies, California State University, Fullerton, USA and a PhD in Education, Society, and Culture, University of California, Riverside, USA. She resides in Southern California, USA.
Dr. Lloro has shared the following biography and message:
“I am an Associate Professor at Cal Poly Pomona, a large public university in Los Angeles County, California that serves a diverse student body. As an interdisciplinary activist-scholar with interests in food justice, activism, and urban agriculture, I work closely with a grassroots community organization that endeavors to change the local food system in a suburb of Los Angeles that has been deeply impacted by systemic poverty and racism, as well as other structural inequalities. I do this work by volunteering with the organization in a variety of capacities, as well as through systematically collecting qualitative and historical data that I analyze through an intersectional feminist lens, with a specific focus on care. I embed my research and activism into my teaching through collaborating with community partners, other faculty, and students to create projects that include documentary filmmaking, practical farming experiences, building a free community seed exchange to establish seed sovereignty, and empirically studying how farmers develop and maintain soil care practices. The California Humanities, Cal Poly Pomona, and the Cooperative Gardens Commission have all supported my work.
In addition to publishing in numerous journals and edited book collections, I have published two books, Animals in Environmental Education: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Curriculum and Pedagogy (co-edited with Valerie Banschbach) and Animal Edutainment in a Neoliberal Era: Politics, Pedagogy, and Practice in the Contemporary Aquarium. From 2015-2019, I was a member of AESS’s Executive Board and have served as an Associate Editor of JESS since 2015. In 2018, I was the inaugural recipient of AESS’s Early Career Award.
I am very excited to be the new Editor-in-Chief of AESS’s flagship journal. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the entire ESS community to strategize new ways JESS can be a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, particularly those that have been historically marginalized in the ESS.”
We, on the AESS Board, hope you will give Teresa a warm welcome as she transitions into the role of EiC, with founding Editor-in-Chief Tony Rosenbaum’s support.
Position Announcement
Advertisement for JESS Editor-in-Chief
The Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, the flagship journal of the Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS), is seeking an Editor-in-Chief. Established in 2010, JESS is published by Springer, part of Springer Nature. The journal offers a venue for relevant interdisciplinary environmental research, practice and public policy dialogue. In addition to setting a rigorous, credible standard for interdisciplinary environmental research, the journal also aims to represent diverse voices in the ESS community. Toward this end, recent initiatives include a new “essays with attitude” op/ed section and plans for an undergraduate research section. The journal has a high standard for publication and an international readership, publication record, and editorial board.
AESS seeks to appoint an Editor-in-Chief (EiC) to succeed Walter (Tony) Rosenbaum, the founding EiC who will be retiring from the journal in September of 2021. The position for the new EiC will commence June 1, 2021 to provide overlap between the new EiC and Emeritus EiC for transition mentoring.
The newly appointed EiC will have full editorial responsibility for the content published in the journal and for ensuring that the ethos, editorial standards, policies and scope of JESS are maintained. They will also be responsible for providing strategic guidance and overseeing the scope of content and work of 26 Associate Editors. The EiC will lead an Editorial Board of 30 members and collaborate closely with the AESS Board. The AESS board expects the EiC to have a strong presence in the organization, contributing to the Annual Conference, attending monthly board meetings as an ex officio representative of JESS, and chairing the AESS Publications Committee.
While no single candidate is likely to exemplify all of the following characteristics, we are seeking an EiC who is:
- An active scholar with publishing experience situated in one or more areas of the fields of environmental studies and sciences.
- Experienced as a journal editor, associate editor, or special issue editor, with strong critical analysis and appraisal skills, and a good understanding of peer review and publication ethics.
- Prepared to help JESS realize the goals of AESS with respect to equity and inclusion. The EiC must understand strategies for mitigating biases against scholars based on their gender, race, ethnicity, institutional type, and other factors that have led to marginalization, historically, in ESS.
- Able to demonstrate strong leadership and collaboration skills.
- Able to articulate a clear vision for JESS consistent with the interdisciplinary mission of AESS.
- Interested in building strong community relationships with environmental studies and science scholars and practitioners at all levels.
- Dedicated to further developing JESS as a leader in the rapidly evolving landscapes of interdisciplinary scholarly journal publishing and of the fields of ESS.
In addition, although the publisher provides administrative services, the EiC must be able to dedicate a significant amount of time on a regular basis to a busy and thriving journal. See the position description for details of the work.
Term of appointment
The term of office will be for five years, with an option for renewal by mutual consent for a further term. The position offers an honorarium.
Applications
Applications should include a full CV, a letter explaining interest in the position and qualifications, and a separate document that outlines a vision for the future of JESS, in relation to the AESS mission and to the increasingly open-access environment of scholarly publishing.
Applications should be sent to the JESS Search Committee at:
Applications will be reviewed by a Search Committee that will recommend the candidate for hire to the AESS Board. The Search Committee consists of the AESS leadership, Board members, and two Associate Editors of JESS. Tony Rosenbaum (JESS Editor-in-Chief) and Melinda Paul (Springer Publishing Editor JESS) are ex officio advisors to the Committee. The AESS Board will make the final selection of the EiC.
Closing date for applications
April 15, 2021
Interviews and start date
Interviews will begin in early May. The anticipated start date of the position is June 1, 2021.
AESS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.
JESS ISSUE NOTIFICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE MARCH 2021 ISSUE OF THE JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SCIENCES.
In this issue:
- Articles with Attitude
The ambiguity of environmental disasters
Peter R. Mulvihill - Commentary and Opinion
Commentary: integrating environmental DNA into applied ecological practice
Jennifer Petruniak, Douglas Bradley… Robert H. Hanner - Original Article
Making the board: participatory game design for environmental action
Katherine Ball, Kirk Jalbert, & Lisa Test - Original Article
Climate change perception, vulnerability, and readiness: inter-country variability and emerging patterns in Latin America
Gabriela Azócar, Marco Billi … Anahí Urquiza - Research Article
Heterogeneity, trust and common-pool resource management
Fijnanda van Klingeren & Nan Dirk de Graaf - Original Article
A gendered lens to self-evaluated and actual climate change knowledge
Batanai Sammie, Elvis Mupfiga … Raymond Mugandani - Articles with attitude
Narrow pasts and futures: how frames of sustainability transformation limit societal change
Janina Priebe, Erland Mårald, & Annika Nordin - Original Article
Community obstacles to large scale solar: NIMBY and renewables
Sandra George O’Neil - Original Article
The Grand Concepts of Environmental Studies Boundary objects between disciplines and policymakers
Jakob Lundgren - Original Article
Sustaining future environmental educators: building critical interdisciplinary teaching capacity among graduate students
Diana Denham, Mary Ann Rozance … Erin Goodling - Research Article
A study of faculty perceptions and engagement with interdisciplinary research in university sustainability institutes
Paul Bolger - Original Article
Narratives of place: critical reflections on place-making in the curriculum of environmental studies and sciences (ESS)
Gabriel R. Valle - Environmental Education
Student representations and conceptions of ecological versus social sciences in a conservation course
Amanda E. Sorensen, Jeffrey Brown … Jenny M. Dauer - Correction
Correction to: Student representations and conceptions of ecological versus socialsciences in a conservation course
Amanda E. Sorensen, Jeffrey Brown … Jenny M. Dauer - Book Review
John Boehnert. Zoning the oceans: the next big step in coastal zone management
Richard Smardon - Book Review
Karen D. Holl. Primer of Ecological Restoration
Donald J. Leopold - Book Review
Ortwin Renn, Frank Ulmer, and Anna Deckert (eds.). The Role of Public Participation in Energy Transitions
Richard C. Smardon - Correction
Correction to: A framework for teaching socio-environmental problem-solving
Cynthia A. Wei, Michael L. Deaton … William R. Burnside
Note: AESS Members receive full access to JESS. If you would like to become a member to access JESS, join today!
To submit a piece for publication, review guidelines.
Call for papers: environmental advocacy
The Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, produced quarterly by the international publisher Springer Nature, is looking to publish a collection of articles about current environmental advocacy. We invite you to submit a manuscript for consideration among these selected articles. We encourage manuscripts focused on the research, teaching, or application of advocacy concerning
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climate change
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biodiversity conservation
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energy transition
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environmental justice
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environmental education
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toxics pollution
Articles may be original research, commentary, book reviews, and case studies. Contributions are welcome from scholars, educators, policy practitioners, policy advocates and students.
Please include on the title page “For the Symposium on Environmental Advocacy.”
Manuscripts are due by October 31, 2020.
Please submit your manuscript at the journal website, http://www.springer.com/
If you’d like to send an abstract before submitting a manuscript, editors would be happy to give you feedback. Please email at the addresses below.
Clara Fang
Symposium Editor
cfang@antioch.edu
Walter Rosenbaum
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences
tonyros@ufl.edu
JESS Festschrift to honor Monty Hempel
New Deadline –
Call for Papers and Media Contributions: Special Edition of Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences to Honor Lamont (Monty) Hempel
A festschrift to honor the life of Dr. Lamont (Monty) Hempel will be published in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences in Summer/Fall 2021. The volume will include 15-20 peer-reviewed articles. We welcome contributions on subjects related to Monty’s personal and professional interests, including:
- Environmental media and communication;
- Environmental politics, policy, and governance;
- Experiential environmental education;
- Sustainability; and,
- The Anthropocene – climate change, biodiversity and other aspects
Appropriate contributions include research articles; review articles synthesizing scholarship in relevant areas; articles addressing to implications of research and scholarship to environmental policy, governance and politics; and, non-text contributions. Non-text contributions may include video and images related to Monty Hempel’s work on environmental documentaries and his use of art to communicate and inspire understanding and appreciation of environmental issues.
On December 4, 2019, Monty Hempel, Hedco Chair in Environmental Studies and the Director of the Center for Environmental Studies at the University of Redlands, passed away following a brief illness. Monty was an innovative interdisciplinary scholar, educator, mentor, and talented documentary filmmaker. His scholarship focused on environmental science, governance and politics, communication, and experiential education, emphasizing climate disruption and marine environmental protection.
Monty Hempel served as the first president of the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) and as a member of the executive committee of the national Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD). His pragmatic idealism and personal modesty belied his significant achievements over more than four decades.
Please submit for consideration Abstracts (required) of at least 250 words to Dr. Peter Saundry, Johns Hopkins University, psaundr1@jhu.edu by September 17, 2020. Articles should consist of approximately 4,000 – 9,000 words (before references) and conform to guidelines in the journal’s “Submission Guidelines” found at the journal’s website, https://www.springer.com/journal/13412. Completed first drafts of articles must be received by November 19, 2020 to begin the peer review process.
Dr. Lamont (Monty) Hempel Festschrift Editorial Committee: Peter Saundry (Chief Editor), David Blockstein (AESS Senior Adviser), Wil Burns (American University), Tony Rosenbaum (University of Florida), Kimberly Smith (Carleton College)
JESS Issue Alert
Table of Contents for the March 2018 issue of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.
In this issue:
To submit a piece for publication, review guidelines.
JESS Issue Release
Announcing the March 2017 issue of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.
A sampling of the Table of Contents can be found below. View full list.
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ContinuingEducation
From polyps to politics: using a coral reef living laboratory in a politics of sustainability course
Pages 216-229
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OriginalPaper
Fostering STEM literacy through a tabletop wind turbine environmental science laboratory activity
Pages 230-238
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OriginalPaper
Scholarly motivations to conduct interdisciplinary climate change research
Pages 239-250
To submit a piece for publication, review guidelines.
JESS Issue Release
Announcing the December 2016 issue of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.
Below are a few of the articles you will find in this issue:
The lead essay identifies and assesses the science diplomatic role of Arctic research stations. It explores three questions on the science diplomacy role and international legal framework of research stations in an Arctic characterized by transformation driven by climate change, post-Cold War geopolitics and globalization/ power transition. Arctic research stations play the role of diplomatic “intermediaries” bridging science, geopolitics and globalization. At least in the case of the USA, the primary motivation for establishing research stations in the Arctic has shifted from military security purposes (especially surveillance) to stations having broader mandates, related to environmental security, with climate change as a main driver. From an international law perspective, there is a need to have a stronger regulation on the interconnection between science and law clarifying the role of research stations to ensure that research stations are used effectively for peaceful purposes. The role of stations in the Arctic can become a constructive example to address issues of the nexus between climate change, science diplomacy, geopolitics, law and globalization that is shaping the future of the Arctic in the coming years. Stations have, in many cases, and will continue to reinforce international cooperation and collaboration through international research initiatives and programs. Results of the 2016 US election and the actual current geo-political environment underscore their relevance and the importance of continue to explore the three questions and other issues around the role of science diplomacy.
This article explores campus fossil fuel divestment as a movement that politically engages resistance to the actions, forces, and structures that are producing climate change. Through re-politicizing sustainability, the divestment movement creates new challenges to traditional power structures and offers new modes and frameworks for environmental action. The case study in this paper explores the Fossil Free American University campaign and deploys an auto-ethnographic approach to understand specific elements including the place of climate justice, radical perspectives, and inside-outside strategies informed the campaign. We argue that the campus fossil fuel divestment movement holds potential to change the university’s expressed values from complicity with fossil fuel economies toward an emergent paradigm of climate justice. As a form of ecological resistance, the campus divestment movement approaches the political economy of fossil fuel exploitation as the foundation for shifting the paradigm of climate change discourse and action.
Linquiti and Cogswell compute the Carbon Ask – the reduction in wealth that will be experienced by the global fossil fuel enterprise as the result of policies to limit global warming – at $185 trillion. The fossil fuel enterprise is not just big multinational oil and gas companies, but also includes the governments, investors, firms, and workers who explore for, produce, transport, distribute, and sell oil, natural gas, and coal. Common sense suggests that when the holders of $185 trillion in wealth are asked to surrender it for the greater good of the planet, they will have powerful incentives to resist a strong climate policy. To the extent they also hold political power, they may be able to impede progress. Accordingly, they speculate that if climate advocates continue to push tough carbon policies, then the political fights in America’s coal country are probably a harbinger of things to come in all fossil fuel industries. Transitional assistance to workers, communities, and possibly even firms, could not only improve the welfare of those entities on the receiving end of the Carbon Ask, it might also temper political opposition to climate policy.
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