By: Emily Schmieding
CORDOBA, SPAIN – The Pathways Europe Conference will make its debut in Spain in 2024, hosting the event at the Palacio de Congresos in Cordoba from October 13-16. This human dimensions of wildlife conference has previously been held in Germany and the Netherlands.
The Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department, at Colorado State University, in conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Social Studies (IESA-CSIC) and the University of Cordoba will be cohosting the esteemed conference. The conference will focus on the theme, “Revisiting What Is Wild for Coexisting,” which is increasingly important in Europe, where urbanization and wildlife must coexist to survive.
The concept of “wild” often refers to elements of nature that remain untamed and unaltered by human intervention. Some argue that in today’s interconnected world, truly wild areas untouched by human influence are exceedingly rare or perhaps even nonexistent. In this human-dominated era, the Anthropocene, new challenges and debates arise around what is wild and what is natural. Among other topics, Pathways Europe 2024 will explore issues related to native and non-native wildlife, debates around sharing different landscapes for wildlife conservation, and how to adapt to forthcoming changes to enhance coexistence.
"At this year's conference, we are looking forward to collaborative research, which will ultimately be key to solving real problems we face regularly," said Jenny Glikman, co-host of the Pathways Europe 2024 Conference.
The conference will feature 41 research sessions, four plenary talks, three networking sessions, and several full-day, hands-on trainings for human dimensions of wildlife professionals. As an academic resource, the conference intends to create conversation from different points of view to create regulatory change. Access the the full program here.
Keynote speakers presenting at the conference include:
- Dr. Alberto José Redondo Villa, University of Córdoba
- Prof. Berta Martín-López, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
- Dr. Camilla Sandström, Umeå University
- Dr. Piero Genovesi, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research
The human dimensions of wildlife conference is open to the public, but requires registration to attend. Visit our website to register (student, full, or one-day rate). If you are part of the media and would like a press pass, please contact us in advance at WCNR_hdnr_Pathways@mail.colostate.edu.
About the Pathways Conference
Beginning in 2008, the Pathways Conference has hosted a total of 13 conferences, with the average attendance around 350. With a variety of researchers, educators, and practitioners, the conference has facilitated important conversations, increased collaboration, and allowed for sustainable change in human-wildlife coexistence. The conference alternates locations every year between North America and internationally. The next North American conference, Pathways 2025, will take place in Estes Park, Colorado, September 7-10, 2025. In early 2024, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) agreed to become a long-term partner for Pathways for all North American conferences.
About the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
The Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (HDNR) at Colorado State University is positioned to meet complex challenges of natural resource management with a growing global population. We do this through understanding and attending to the needs and values of humans, human society and culture as they relate to the conservation and enjoyment of the natural environment. It is HDNR’s mission to empower people to explore and sustain their world. With HDNR’s belief in integrity, impact, diversity, innovation, sustainability and well-being, the vision of the department to re-imagine learning and discovery to benefit both people and the natural world. The Department offers an MS and PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, an MS in Tourism Management, and an MS in Conservation Leadership; as well as a graduate certificate in Communications for Conservation.
About the Institute for Advanced Social Studies (IESA-CSIC)
The Institute for Advanced Social Studies (IESA) conducts research activities in the field of social science. From an institutional standpoint, the IESA belongs to Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and is integrated into the Society Global Area, even though it develops research work from an interdisciplinary point of view. IESA is committed to the ongoing innovation of its work methodology, substantive guidance of its research, and the profile of its audience, always with a view to maximizing both the strictly scientific impact and the widest social impact of the knowledge generated.
About the University of Cordoba
The University of Córdoba (UCO) is a public academic and scientific institution with two centuries of history. Its youth and its average size (the UCO has 21,000 students, just over 1,200 professors and 700 administration and service workers) have given it the necessary dynamism to gradually adapt and enter the 21st century as a University of high teaching quality and proven scientific solvency. It has centuries-old studies such as those of Veterinary Medicine, unique in Andalusia. UCO’s studies range from Humanities and Legal-Social Sciences to Health Sciences and scientific-technical careers (the agri-food, scientific and technical).
