The Open Society Hub for the Politics of the Anthropocene (OHPA) is a cutting-edge research project based at the Department of International Relations of Central European University (CEU) in Vienna. OHPA delves into the political dynamics of the Anthropocene. This broad focus embraces the political turbulence and military conflicts of the decarbonization era; oil curse and other pathologies of the world order; popular awareness of the climate crisis and of the mitigation measures; green activism and party politics in Europe; critical studies of greenwashing and climate denialism; contrasts and interconnectedness of the transition processes in the global South and the global North.
What is Anthropocene?
The Anthropocene is a term that encapsulates the profound influence of human activities on Earth in the 21st century. This era is characterized by significant ecological, economic, demographic, and institutional changes, prompting the need for political responses. The Anthropocene represents a complex system with dispersed agency, unknown rules of change, and challenges that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. OHPA aims to explore and understand this epoch by focusing on its political rather than ecological aspects.
Our Work
OHPA operates under the leadership of the Head (Alexander Etkind) with project management support from the Research Coordinator (Valeriia Hesse). The Hub proudly collaborates with two esteemed partner universities, SciencesPo in France and CEBRAP in Brazil, fostering a global perspective on its research initiatives. Over the project duration the team will engage four onsite and two offsite post-doctoral fellows. The onsite fellows, two appointed for two years (2024-2026) and two for one year each (2025-2026) will delve into the following topics:
1. Critical studies of green activism, party politics, and climate mitigation in Europe;
2. Critical studies of carbon dependency, decarbonization, and international conflicts in the global perspective;
3. War and Anthropocene.
Each of the offsite fellows will be based at SciencesPo and CEBRAP respectively (2024-2026). Additionally, OHPA, together with our partners and International Board, plans to produce a volume on the topic "The Atom, Security, Climate Change and the Anthropocene."
Biweekly Seminars
At OHPA, we believe in fostering a vibrant intellectual community. To achieve this, we organize biweekly seminars that serve as a platform for scholars, researchers, students, and broader public to engage in lively discussions, share insights, and explore interdisciplinary approaches to the challenges posed by the Anthropocene. These seminars facilitate the exchange of ideas and contribute to the ongoing dialogue within the global academic community.
Annual Conference
In addition to our regular seminars, OHPA will host an annual conference in the spring, bringing together leading experts, scholars, and researchers from around the world. This conference serves as a key event in our academic calendar, providing a space for in-depth discussions, presentations of cutting-edge research, and the exploration of emerging trends in the political landscape of the Anthropocene. The conference offers a unique opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange, further solidifying OHPA's role as a hub for groundbreaking research and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Stay Tuned!
In conclusion, OHPA stands as a pioneering force in research, dedicated to unraveling the intricate politics of the Anthropocene. Our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, global partnerships, and continuous intellectual exchange positions us as a hub for innovative thinking and transformative solutions.
Stay engaged and be on the lookout for exciting job opportunities, upcoming events, and insightful publications. For further inquiries or to connect with us, please do not hesitate to contact us at HesseV@ceu.edu.