Ecopolitical Mapping: A Multispecies Research Methodology for Environmental Communication

Jens Benöhr; Maike Brinksma; Ross Donihue; David Farò; Antonia Lara; Kara Lena Virik; Alejandro Ponce de León; Cristian Toro; Bastian Gygli; Daniel Romo; Franziska E. Walther

doi:10.18046/recs.i36.5275

Authors

Jens Benöhr LMU München https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2720-0929
Maike Brinksma Wageningen University and Research https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6350-4765
Ross Donihue Maps for Good https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0655-9203
David Farò Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3168-8162
Antonia Lara Artista Freelance https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3538-2462
Kara Lena Virik TU Berlin https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7564-4597
Alejandro Ponce de León University of California https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4808-3373
Cristian Toro Centro Cultural Toda la Teoría del Universo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8882-6146
Bastian Gygli Montaraz Comunicaciones https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-5666
Daniel Romo Fundación Senderismo y Naturaleza https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1256-5776
Franziska E. Walther Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3391-1188

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18046/recs.i36.5275

Keywords:

Creative Methodologies, Collective Mapping, Environmental Communication, Multispecies Research, Cohabitation, Coexistence

Abstract

Ecopolitical Mapping is a methodology which seeks to map encounters of love and disaster between humans and their more-than-human surroundings. This methodology, first coined by an transdisciplinary group of artists and researchers in South Chile, unfolds through collective mapping sessions using an ecopolitical approach to trace the power relationships between different species-beings. In this research document, we unpack our engagements with this methodology in three different scales and territories: the Biobío Watershed (Chile), Berlin City (Germany) and Europe (Continent). Each case presented a strong environmental communication component, which ended up with the translation of the stories of the encounters into illustrated maps. The methodological approach proposed here is intimate, political and situated. The map evolves from a supposed politically neutral artifact into a tool for environmental education, communication, and activism. We offer the notionand approach, hoping that this methodology can be practiced and refined by other humans, allies of the tentacle kinship.

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Author Biographies

Jens Benöhr, LMU München

LMU München
Maike Brinksma, Wageningen University and Research

MSc International Land and Water Management. Wageningen University.
Ross Donihue, Maps for Good

Geographer and visual storyteller. Yale University & Maps for Good.
David Farò, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento

University of Trento, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering.
Antonia Lara, Artista Freelance

Independent artist.
Kara Lena Virik, TU Berlin

Urban Researcher, Landscape Architect, Technical University Berlin.
Alejandro Ponce de León, University of California

PhD candidate in Cultural Studies. University of California, Davis.
Cristian Toro, Centro Cultural Toda la Teoría del Universo

Independent artist.
Bastian Gygli, Montaraz Comunicaciones

Universidad de Concepción.
Daniel Romo, Fundación Senderismo y Naturaleza

Senderismo y Naturaleza Educación.
Franziska E. Walther, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Msc student. Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin,
Germany.

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