Biodiverse Anthropocenes

Biodiverse Anthropocenes is a Research Programme of the University of Oulu supported by the Academy of Finland PROFI6 funding (2021-2026). This innovative and transdisciplinary research initiative brings together scholars from across the social and natural sciences to collaboratively investigate the biodiversity loss currently threatening multi-species well-being and planetary sustainability, and to generate future-oriented solutions both in the Arctic and around the planet.
Abandoned transport and reindeer fur in the tundra.

Research themes

We organize a range of academic and public activities, such as seminars, lectures, workshops and conferences; engage with societal institutions through citizen science activities; establish an international visiting scholar programme; and recruit a number of new tenure-track professors and postdocs to the University. We center our research around four core themes:

  • Transformations and adaptations (ANT 1)
  • Multispecies worlds (ANT 2)
  • Innovating approaches and methodologies (ANT 3)
  • and Envisioning sustainability (ANT 4).

Together, these themes address the critical topics of: multiple pressures creating biodiversity loss; the responses of species, communities and ecosystems to ecological challenges; creative development and use of research methods for examining human-environmental systems; and, speaking with and listening to the public to use scientific knowledge to enhance sustainable and ethical practices.

Leaders of thematic activities: Anna Krzywoszynska, Thora Herrmann, Heikki Helanterä, Alberto AmoreMathilde van den Berg, Maria-Helena Saari, and Stefan Prost.

Talking ANTS Lecture Series

Talking ANTS Lecture Series invites renowned international scholars from across disciplines to present their work to the Biodiverse Anthropocenes members and the wider university. We want to encourage all members to join these monthly events to welcome our guest speakers and mingle with fellow members.

VisitANTS

Oulu in Winter.

The University of Oulu's Biodiverse Anthropocenes research programme has two ongoing visiting scholar programmes:

  • VisitAnts Ukraine Funds (for Ukrainians)
  • VisitAnts Come-and-GOulu Grants (for ANTS members)

VisitAnts Ukraine Funds

These exceptional scholarships are awarded to Ukrainian scholars to enable them to carry out scientific research on environmental change and biodiversity loss, and/or human socio-cultural responses to them at the University of Oulu. Funding covers living costs in, and travel to/from Oulu, and is currently available for stays of up to six months. Open to researchers holding a PhD or currently enrolled in a doctoral programme. DL: No deadline, applications will be considered in order of when they are received.

VisitAnts Come-and-GOulu Grants

These grants are available to ANTS Members at the University of Oulu who wish to either a) visit another academic institution in Finland or abroad; or b) invite an external researcher to visit Oulu in order to collaborate on e.g. research, publishing or grant writing activities. Visits can be funded for between 2 weeks and 6 months. DL: Rolling deadline.

Mobility opportunities—come to Oulu

Biodiverse Anthropocenes is interested in hosting researchers with research projects about the environment and society. We can offer a dynamic, transdisciplinary environment and the ability to work closely with any number of our affiliated scholars, who comprise a range of disciplines, fields and focuses.

Researchers in Biodiverse Anthropocenes benefit from being part of a vibrant international research community, with funding opportunities, research and community activities, regular group meetings across four active Research Hubs, guest lectures, visiting fellows, and excellent support structures – just to name a few.

If you are interested in being hosted by the University of Oulu, please contact coordinator Emma Vatka (emma.vatka@oulu.fi) for more information. 

Five minutes with...

In the short videos "Five minutes with...", you can become acquainted with the work conducted by various  Biodiverse Anthropocenes members . In the interviews, members speak about their research, how it is connected to the goals of the programme and why it is relevant to the challenges we are currently facing, such as biodiversity loss and climate change. You can learn how these scholars tackle similar questions and issues relying on different disciplinary expertise. 

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