Gabriella is a PhD student in Anthropology at the University College London (UCL). Her project explores pastoralist-lion relations in spaces of conservation in East Africa. Using new and interdisciplinary research methods from both social and natural sciences, she investigates how conservation policies (often grounded in “people without nature” ideology) impact both people and wildlife. She is currently doing fieldwork in Kenya, around the Maasai Mara and Amboseli game reserves. Gabriella’s aim is to promote holistic conservation initiatives that view people and wildlife as living a part of an ecosystem. By doing so, she hopes to lay the way (methodologically and theoretically) for future anthropological work that reaches beyond the human. Prior to beginning her PhD at UCL, Gabriella completed her MA in Anthropology at the University of Ottawa.

Why did you join ESAC?

I decided to join the ESAC in summer 2022 after presenting at the annual conference for the first time. I presented at the ESAC’s first French session and figured the association could use more French-speaking researchers in the field of environmental studies. My friend and colleague from the University of Ottawa was already a board member, and told me that the Association was looking for new members. I thought joining the ESAC would be a great opportunity not only to not contribute a French voice to the table, but also to learn more about the environmental studies context in Canada. I believe Canada, a country economically dependent on natural resources, can and has to become a world-leader in developing creative and holistic strategies to combat the ecological crisis.