Theology, Ecology, and Natural Science

2027 Call for Papers

Katherine Tarrant, University of Virginia (VA)

klt2sdt@virginia.edu 

Abel Aruan, Villanova University (PA)

aaruan@villanova.edu

The Theology, Ecology, Natural Science section aims to cultivate three panel conversations that grapple with the CTS 2027 convention theme, “Mary, Seat of Wisdom: Refuge and Rabble-Rouser.” Proposals should specify for which of the three panels they would like to be considered. Proposals should be submitted for consideration to the section co-conveners, Katherine Tarrant and Abel Aruan, by December 15, 2026. 

Ecofeminism(s): In honor of this year’s Marian focus, we invite proposals which engage a variety of ecofeminist frameworks, thinkers, and texts. How do theological imaginaries of womanhood, sisterhood, and motherhood inform our relationships to the natural world? How do theological imaginaries of land, animality, and wilderness inform our notions of the feminine (human or divine)? We invite proposals that consider these questions in dialogue with a range of conversations and sources, including but not limited to

• Theological or liturgical presentations of “the divine feminine”
• Historical and contemporary forms of Marian syncretism (the blending of Marian theologies, imagery, or devotional practices with different cultural conceptions of the sacred feminine)
• Theological frameworks which link virginity to sacred dimensions of the natural world, including but not limited to Hildegard of Bingen’s concept of viriditas
• Ecowomanist religious frameworks, including but not limited to Melanie L. Harris’ Ecowomanism
• Deconstructions of ecofeminist frameworks as bioessentialist, white supremacist, or otherwise troubling

Sacred Places and Spaces:  Popular devotions to Mary and other saints are often connected to specific places and spaces: shrines, wells, mountains, roads, towns, etc. How might theologians approach the “landed” or “grounded” dimensions of these devotional practices? How have Marian theologies been shaped by regional, cultural, and spatial particularities? In turn, how do devotional practices shape natural and political landscapes? We invite proposals that consider these questions in dialogue with a range of conversations and sources, including but not limited to:

• The practice of pilgrimage as a form of spiritual engagement with lands and spaces
• Marian art and iconography that reflects her connection to specific regions, landscapes, or natural features
• Contested sacred spaces: what does it mean to own, lease, visit, seize, or defend sacred spaces and lands?
• Ecotheology in the context of climate refugees and forced displacement.
• Retrieval of Stella Maris (the star of the sea) in relation to coastal, archipelagic, and oceanic communities.

Reproduction, Care, and Ecology: This panel explores the ways in which environmental literature, ecotheology, or theology in general has been, must be, or should not be discussed in terms of reproductive and caring relations. Indirect implications to Marian theology are encouraged, although not strictly required. We invite proposals that consider these questions in dialogue with a range of conversations and sources, including but not limited to:

• The uses of reproductive and kinship images in ecotheology and environmental humanities (Ex.: Mary’s pregnancy, St. Paul’s “pains of childbirth,” “seeds,” “nurturing,” “caring,” “virgin land,” “Mother Earth,” Haraway’s “making kin,” etc.).
• Reproductive futurism in Christian eschatology, theology, or environmental scholarship and activism, and/or relevant debates: pronatalism, antinatalism, no-futurism, catastrophe literature, extraterrestrial voyages, etc.
• Histories and stories about interventions from queer, crip, decolonial, Indigenous, non-European, non-capitalist social reproduction to environmental crises. Engagement with art exhibits, films, novels, etc. is welcome.
• Engagements with ecocritical works on reproductive and caring relations. Ex.: Rebekah Sheldon’s The Child to Come, Maria Puig de la Bellacasa’s Matters of Care, Sarah Ensor’s Queer Lasting, Mayanthi Fernando’s Companion Spirits, or others.
• Intertwined efforts of (or dilemma between) reproductive justice and ecological justice in general.