UAB and UB to Host POLLEN 2026: Confronting the Polycrisis Through the Stories of Political Ecology
From June 29th to July 3rd, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the University of Barcelona (UB) will co-organize an international conference to explore how narratives of resistance can shape more abundant and just futures. Registration is now open to the public.
In a global context defined by what many call a "poly-crisis", ranging from rising inequality and resurgent authoritarianism to ecological disruption and the commodification of life, Barcelona will host POLLEN 2026: Diverse Origins, Multiple Futures. Organized by the Political Ecology Network (POLLEN) in a joint effort between the UAB and the UB, this conference seeks to move beyond fatalistic "end of the world" narratives. From the UAB, the event is organized through ICTA-UAB with the support of the María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence accreditation granted by the Government of Spain.
A Transdisciplinary Program for Urgent Times
The conference will delve into critical topics such as green colonialism, the financialization of nature, and the militarization of environmental governance. Participants will explore the tensions between radical and instrumental approaches to ecology, aiming to forge new ways of seeing that can better tackle the injustices erupting around us. The program tackles the messy realities of today’s socio-environmental conflicts, moving beyond theory to engage with degrowth, decolonial food sovereignty, and the emerging risks of AI-driven environmental surveillance.
Open Registration
The organizing committee invites the social and civic movements, as well as the academic community, to join this dialogue. Registration is now officially open to the general public. By bringing together Barcelona’s leading research institutions and a global network of activists, POLLEN 2026 aims to revitalize the spaces of resistance and tell the vital stories necessary to face the challenges of our time.
For more information and to register, visit: https://pollenpoliticalecology.network/pollen-2026/
This work contributes to ICTA-UAB “María de Maeztu” Programme for Units of Excellence of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (CEX2024-001506-M funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).