As PhD candidates in geography, we recognize the urgency of the ongoing environmental crises facing our planet and the impact eco-anxiety has on and by individuals. In our paper, we reflect on the collaborative process of writing about eco-anxiety and geography education through a personal lens and how sustained conversation on the issue has informed our thinking on the topic. We argue that this approach can improve geography departments and our understanding of global challenges.
Through sharing our eco-anxiety stories and editing each other's work, we were able to deepen our understanding of eco-anxiety and develop strategies for responding to it. Our paper emphasizes the importance of prioritizing personal experiences and storytelling in academic work and encourages collaborative writing as a means of reflection and action in geography. This presentation will correspondingly be conversational, giving space for each PhD candidate to define, discuss, and question our own relationships with eco-anxiety and geography.
We offer insights into how ongoing dialogue can facilitate collective learning and build solidarity within the field of geography. By prioritizing collaboration and personal reflection, we believe geography departments can transform into spaces that actively engage with environmental challenges and demonstrate meaningful awareness of the lived eco-anxious experiences of young people. Ultimately, we hope to inspire others to consider sustained conversation and collaborative writing in their work and recognize their potential for meaningful change in geography.