Philias and phobias

Whether different aspects of Anthropocene change are considered good or bad depends as much on cultural values and flexibility as on any physical and biological realities.

What are the circumstances under which humans fear, repel or embrace the changing biological world?

This programme evaluates why some individuals, organisations and societies apparently value biodiversity gains, but others respond with disdain. What psychological, historical and cultural processes lead to this spectrum of attitudes and responses to novelty, and how do negative or positive attitudes then affect the prospects for biodiversity?

Areas of interest

Attitudes to novelty, examining the circumstances under which novel species and genetic forms are regarded as objects of desire or shunned.
Idealised ecosystems, investigating how and why perceptions of landscape and ecosystem beauty vary from landscape taming and improvement, through to restoration and rewilding.
Attitudes into action, in which we analyse how human attitudes and ideals translate into cultural practices and policies, and whether these practices then give rise to increases or declines in biodiversity.

News and views

Moor views on past, present and future landscapes

Clemency Cooper’s PhD research aims to understand how perceptions of thelandscape have shaped the North York Moors, and how evidence of past changemight influence decisions about its future character.

Historic and contemporary issues around the ivory trade.

Molly Brown draws on sources from across the UK, Africa and Asia to highlight the role that demand has played in forming our values towards ivory and elephants.