Come join the early Political Ecology Network (POLLEN) event on June 27, 15:30 to 21:30 at La Cinètika in Barcelona. organized by Rupture Press & Undisciplined Environments.
Political Ecology Struggling: Between Industrial Extermination & Genocidal Wars
Being a researcher in the face of socioecological catastrophe, genocide and exterminating war feels increasingly untenable. While universities, and academia, are as much, if not more, than accomplices and apologists in political control and military development, they are also a space of critical discussion, political awakening and resistance.
This Political Ecology Network(POLLEN) pre-conference, Political Ecology Struggling: Between Industrial Extermination and Genocidal War, seeks to discuss these issues while inviting a new and enjoyable format for academic discussions—we embrace the joy of our possibilities, while recognizing we should do more against war, extractivism and political control.
While discussing heavy topics, we seek to bring an engaging—if not fun—format of passive and active participation. This pre-conference seeks to add to POLLEN, making the most of our travels and, most importantly, seeks to confront the by-and-large lack of tangible actions taking place at universities and within academia. With the exceptions of night attacks by anonymous actors and mobilization by select staff and students, academia has by-and-large failed to create and grow universities as liberatory spaces. Instead, liberatory spaces and academic culture are strangled by digital bureaucracy, competitive ranking metrics, impoverished, arm-chair and politically ignorant conversations about political movements.
This academic normal continues alongside increasing political repression, flagrant enactments of genocide and political censorship perpetrated by universities, meanwhile academic relevance is affirmed by salaries. However limited, the Political Ecology Struggling pre-event seeks to make an enjoyable crack within the academic space to create participatory learning, dialogue and convivial congregation. Honoring and advancing the politically conscious and active legacy of political ecology, we seek to encourage a movement away from bureaucratic management toward socio-ecological transformation.
This pre-conference event includes a small book fair from local and foreign publishers and begins with a welcome and introduction (with more detail) about the event. This is followed by games, participatory workshops and a joint panel organized by Rupture Press and Undisciplined Environments titled: Can Academics Struggle? If so, how?
We seek to discuss the shortcoming, but more so imagine and express possible ways to advance liberatory practices and spaces within the University. While creating a workshop space, to learn new skills, we provide an event for socialising, discussion and, hopefully, new (academic) conspiracies. The evening will conclude with an entertaining show to end the night with jubilee and laughter.
Located at a social centre, La Cinètika, the event is free to attend (and in English), but suggested 10€ donations are welcome. All donations go to covering the material costs and all leftovers are split between Rupture Press and La Cinètika.
Location: La Cinètika, Passeig de Fabra i Puig, 28, 08030 Barcelona, Spain
Date: 27th June 2026
We hope to see everyone there, and while much of this schedule will remain a surprise until the days before the event, here is what to expect:
15:30: Doors Open to socialize
16:15-16:30: Welcome Introduction – This Evening!
16:30-50: Ice-Breaker Game & Giggles
17:00 – 18:45: Workshops
18:45: Dinner
19:20 – 20:20: Rupture Press/Undisciplined Environments: Can Academics Struggle? If so, how?
20:30 – 21:30: Exciting Entertainment
