Research: The environmental impact of the Anthropocene
Dr Damiano Benvegnu, a Reader in Italian Studies and Comparative Literature, specialises in the interdisciplinary field of environmental humanities. His research examines how individuals, communities, and cultures interact with their surrounding environments, shedding light on the ways in which these relationships are shaped by broader ecological and social dynamics. In recent years, Dr Benvegnu has been leading two major research projects focused on ecocultural resilience in an age of environmental and social distress.
The first project delves into both historical and contemporary tree planting efforts, exploring these practices as cultural and political acts. It investigates how these actions offer valuable insights into the ways climate change and other environmental crises of the Anthropocene are transforming human-environment relations. By studying the origins and evolution of tree planting, Dr Benvegnu aims to better understand the ways in which societies confront and adapt to environmental challenges.
The second project, in collaboration with the St Andrews Botanic Garden, focuses on the epistemic and ethical foundations of natural history collections, particularly herbaria. This research critiques the often reductionist perspectives embedded within these collections, which tend to objectify nonhuman beings. Dr Benvegnu’s goal is to reframe these collections, emphasizing their role in revealing the complex history of human-nonhuman relationships and exploring alternative futures where ecological coexistence is central.
Additionally, Dr Benvegnu has co-edited a recent volume titled Waste and Discard in Italy and the Mediterranean: Theories, Practices, Literature and Film. This thought-provoking collection investigates the concept of waste from a semantic and cultural perspective, analysing its implications within the Mediterranean context. It takes a holistic approach to understanding waste, considering its environmental, social, and literary dimensions while reflecting on the destruction of landscapes and lives in the region. Through this work, Dr Benvegnu contributes to a deeper understanding of how waste is both a physical and symbolic marker of environmental degradation.