Imagine an academic conference where you can meet the Speaker and Members of Parliament, an Ambassador, policymakers, camel herders from South Gobi in Mongolia, herdsmen from Marsabit County in northern Kenya, the Head of the Union of Mongolian Shamans, members of Kw'tsan Cultural Committee of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian tribe, and academics from multiple disciplines gather to discuss topics ranging from food and culture through the ages, desert governance and politics, business development and urban life, to climate change, ecological knowledge, and social changes in Central and Inner Asia. This was the biannual #7th #Interdisciplinary #Oxford #Desert #Conference held at the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford on the 20th and 21st of March 2025! 🌍✨
The conference brought together a remarkable mix of voices, fostering deep discussions and collaboration on critical issues. This year's conference is encapsulated by three 'I's:
#Interdisciplinary Collaboration – Scholars from social sciences, marine biology, anthropology, ethnomedicine, desert ecology, climatology, theology, and management & HR shared groundbreaking studies about work and life in the world's desert and semi-desert regions.
#Inclusivity – The active participation of policymakers, practitioners, academics, representatives of indigenous communities, herdsmen, and a dedicated youth panel, where teenagers and young researchers shared their voices on the world's most pressing agendas, created an environment and platform for both English and non-English speakers to share their indigenous knowledge and experiences. This demonstrated true inclusivity and equity, where everyone's voice was valued equally, with tailored support for language and other needs.
#Impact – Every research presented demonstrated real-life impacts in ecosystem management, herders' livelihoods, and policy changes supporting local communities across arid lands. The conference heightened awareness and proposed solutions for global agendas such as biodiversity, mineral wealth, geopolitics, and population dynamics in drylands.
The underlying theme of maintaining #human #values amid growing challenges was reflected throughout the event, with the closing discussion on ‘Pastoral Systems and Reduction in Aid: Fallout from USAID Cuts’ echoing this sentiment.
A huge thank you to the organisers, especially Dr. Ariell Ahearn and Dr Troy Sternberg, for creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The small gesture of a handmade satchel from Iran with the conference programme for the speakers was a beautiful touch that truly enhanced the human element of the conference.
It was, without a doubt, the most exciting, enriching, and friendly conference I’ve ever attended. Looking forward to continuing the conversation and working towards preserving human values and ecosystems at the conference in 2027! 🌱🌏
#OxfordDesertConference #Interdisciplinary #Inclusivity #Impact #Sustainability #HumanValues
