Ellinor Isgren
Biographic Data
| ID | 3709268 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Ellinor Isgren |
| GIVEN NAMES | Ellinor |
| FAMILY NAME | Isgren |
| SIGNATURE | ISGREN E |
| AFFILIATIONS | Lund University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-8949-2480 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 36 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Protecting While Promoting? The Limits of Agroindustry‐Driven Pesticide Safety in Ugandan Smallholder Agriculture
Pesticide use is expanding rapidly across sub‐Saharan Africa, while regulatory oversight and public protection structures remain weak, leaving smallholder farmers exposed to mounting health and environmental risks. In response, agrochemical industry actors have launched ‘safe use’ initiatives that emphasize training and personal protective equipment as evidence of corporate responsibility. This paper critically examines one such intervention in U…
Challenging ‘conventional agriculture’
This article analyses the emergence and evolution of the Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF) as a social movement organisation, focusing on factors which have enabled and hindered ZIMSOFF to meaningfully influence the trajectory of agrarian change in Zimbabwe. While in its early stages ZIMSOFF was heavily shaped by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), it later embarked on a path towards greater autonomy which it still retains,…
Critical sustainability science
The objective of this paper is to present a critical sustainability science research program, which is founded on two critical theoretical/philosophical traditions: critical realism and historical materialism. We elaborate these traditions to clarify what they can analytically offer to socioecological analyses in sustainability science and emphasize their prospective contributions to sustainability transitions and transformations. A critical sust…
Politicising agricultural transformation through farmer groups’ everyday collective practices
Farmer collectives, such as farmer groups, play a crucial role in advancing struggles for inclusive and sustainable rural development. Yet their potential to influence agricultural policies and practices remains undervalued. Drawing on focus group discussions with farmer groups in northern Uganda, we examine how their routine collective practices function as critical mechanisms for cultivating viable but often overlooked social, economic, and eco…
Social sustainability
Every farmer is a farmer? A critical analysis of the emergence and development of Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana
Smallholder farmer-based rural social movements have been heralded as a promising source of political power with the potential to effectively promote sustainable trajectories of agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. However, the very early stages of rural social movement building remain understudied, including under what conditions such nascent efforts are likely to lead to effective political influence and foundations for br…
Sustainability science must challenge common sense
In this comment, we respond to the claim of (Bodin, Sustain Sci 16: 2151–2155, 2021) that sustainability science, as a research community, has begun to “lean to the left” in a problematic manner. On one hand, we remain unconvinced by the examples cited as indications for this tendency, and argue for caution in making such judgements. On the other hand, we hold that that there may be reasons for seemingly “left leaning” positions which are scienti…
Sustainability as a Real Utopia - Heuristics for transformative sustainability research
The idea of 'Sustainability as a Real Utopia' elaborated on here adapts sociologist Erik Olin Wright's emancipatory social science and is a heuristic informed by critical realism and social theory for interdisciplinary research on viable alternatives that move society towards achieving sustainability. Starting from the proposition that many environmental problems are rooted in how social structures and institutions interact with nature by shaping…
Nutrient Overloading in the Chesapeake Bay
We examine socioecological drivers of nutrient overloading and eutrophication in the Chesapeake Bay associated with poultry production on the Delmarva Peninsula. We use a social metabolic analysis—rooted in a political-economy perspective—that highlights the interchange of matter and energy and the inextricable links within and between social and ecological systems, illuminating the social structural processes contributing to ecological changes. …
An Environmental Justice Perspective on Smallholder Pesticide Use in Sub-Saharan Africa
Pesticide use is increasing in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and many smallholders purchase, handle, and apply toxic pesticides with inadequate equipment, knowledge, and technical support. Through the frame of environmental justice, this literature-based study analyzes characteristics, impacts, and drivers of smallholder pesticide use in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to Uganda as a case. We find that market liberalization, poo…
A collective alternative to the Inward Turn in environmental sustainability research
It has become quite common in environmental sustainability research to promote the influencing of so-called inner dimensions of individuals as means to address pressing environmental problems such as climate change, what we refer to as the Inward Turn. We argue that the conceptual foundations of the Inward Turn, an extreme form of methodological individualism, limit it significantly as a strategy for addressing climate change and other socially r…
Gambling in the garden
The use and promotion of pesticides is on the increase in many sub-Saharan African countries, including in the smallholder sector. This paper stems from placed-based research in Uganda and aims at advancing current knowledge on smallholder farmers' motivations for pesticide use, the extent and character of such use, as well as on lived experiences regarding the impacts of pesticides. Data was generated through a household survey, in-depth intervi…
The irresistible solution
Water resources are under increasing pressure, and there are tensions between increasing demand and the natural limits to potable water supply. Authorities must find solutions that fulfill societal demands without compromising environmental integrity. As one way to counteract water deficits, desalination has evolved as an attractive solution. This technology is contested and associated with a variety of social, environmental and economic conseque…
If the change is going to happen it's not by us
Local perceptions of land-use change
Johansson, E. L., and E. Isgren. 2017. Local perceptions of land-use change: using participatory art to reveal direct and indirect socioenvironmental effects of land acquisitions in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Ecology and Society 22(1):3. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08986-220103
Exploring the relationship between nature sounds, connectedness to nature, mood and willingness to buy sustainable food
Sustainability as a Real Utopia - Heuristics for transformative sustainability research
The idea of 'Sustainability as a Real Utopia' elaborated on here adapts sociologist Erik Olin Wright's emancipatory social science and is a heuristic informed by critical realism and social theory for interdisciplinary research on viable alternatives that move society towards achieving sustainability. Starting from the proposition that many environmental problems are rooted in how social structures and institutions interact with nature by shaping…
Gambling in the garden
The use and promotion of pesticides is on the increase in many sub-Saharan African countries, including in the smallholder sector. This paper stems from placed-based research in Uganda and aims at advancing current knowledge on smallholder farmers' motivations for pesticide use, the extent and character of such use, as well as on lived experiences regarding the impacts of pesticides. Data was generated through a household survey, in-depth intervi…
Critical sustainability science
The objective of this paper is to present a critical sustainability science research program, which is founded on two critical theoretical/philosophical traditions: critical realism and historical materialism. We elaborate these traditions to clarify what they can analytically offer to socioecological analyses in sustainability science and emphasize their prospective contributions to sustainability transitions and transformations. A critical sust…
If the change is going to happen it's not by us
Local perceptions of land-use change
Johansson, E. L., and E. Isgren. 2017. Local perceptions of land-use change: using participatory art to reveal direct and indirect socioenvironmental effects of land acquisitions in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Ecology and Society 22(1):3. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08986-220103
Politicising agricultural transformation through farmer groups’ everyday collective practices
Farmer collectives, such as farmer groups, play a crucial role in advancing struggles for inclusive and sustainable rural development. Yet their potential to influence agricultural policies and practices remains undervalued. Drawing on focus group discussions with farmer groups in northern Uganda, we examine how their routine collective practices function as critical mechanisms for cultivating viable but often overlooked social, economic, and eco…
Exploring the relationship between nature sounds, connectedness to nature, mood and willingness to buy sustainable food
Sustainability science must challenge common sense
In this comment, we respond to the claim of (Bodin, Sustain Sci 16: 2151–2155, 2021) that sustainability science, as a research community, has begun to “lean to the left” in a problematic manner. On one hand, we remain unconvinced by the examples cited as indications for this tendency, and argue for caution in making such judgements. On the other hand, we hold that that there may be reasons for seemingly “left leaning” positions which are scienti…
A collective alternative to the Inward Turn in environmental sustainability research
It has become quite common in environmental sustainability research to promote the influencing of so-called inner dimensions of individuals as means to address pressing environmental problems such as climate change, what we refer to as the Inward Turn. We argue that the conceptual foundations of the Inward Turn, an extreme form of methodological individualism, limit it significantly as a strategy for addressing climate change and other socially r…
The irresistible solution
Water resources are under increasing pressure, and there are tensions between increasing demand and the natural limits to potable water supply. Authorities must find solutions that fulfill societal demands without compromising environmental integrity. As one way to counteract water deficits, desalination has evolved as an attractive solution. This technology is contested and associated with a variety of social, environmental and economic conseque…
Exploring the relationship between nature sounds, connectedness to nature, mood and willingness to buy sustainable food
Local perceptions of land-use change
Johansson, E. L., and E. Isgren. 2017. Local perceptions of land-use change: using participatory art to reveal direct and indirect socioenvironmental effects of land acquisitions in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Ecology and Society 22(1):3. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08986-220103
If the change is going to happen it's not by us
The irresistible solution
Water resources are under increasing pressure, and there are tensions between increasing demand and the natural limits to potable water supply. Authorities must find solutions that fulfill societal demands without compromising environmental integrity. As one way to counteract water deficits, desalination has evolved as an attractive solution. This technology is contested and associated with a variety of social, environmental and economic conseque…
Nutrient Overloading in the Chesapeake Bay
We examine socioecological drivers of nutrient overloading and eutrophication in the Chesapeake Bay associated with poultry production on the Delmarva Peninsula. We use a social metabolic analysis—rooted in a political-economy perspective—that highlights the interchange of matter and energy and the inextricable links within and between social and ecological systems, illuminating the social structural processes contributing to ecological changes. …
An Environmental Justice Perspective on Smallholder Pesticide Use in Sub-Saharan Africa
Pesticide use is increasing in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and many smallholders purchase, handle, and apply toxic pesticides with inadequate equipment, knowledge, and technical support. Through the frame of environmental justice, this literature-based study analyzes characteristics, impacts, and drivers of smallholder pesticide use in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to Uganda as a case. We find that market liberalization, poo…
A collective alternative to the Inward Turn in environmental sustainability research
It has become quite common in environmental sustainability research to promote the influencing of so-called inner dimensions of individuals as means to address pressing environmental problems such as climate change, what we refer to as the Inward Turn. We argue that the conceptual foundations of the Inward Turn, an extreme form of methodological individualism, limit it significantly as a strategy for addressing climate change and other socially r…
Gambling in the garden
The use and promotion of pesticides is on the increase in many sub-Saharan African countries, including in the smallholder sector. This paper stems from placed-based research in Uganda and aims at advancing current knowledge on smallholder farmers' motivations for pesticide use, the extent and character of such use, as well as on lived experiences regarding the impacts of pesticides. Data was generated through a household survey, in-depth intervi…
Sustainability science must challenge common sense
In this comment, we respond to the claim of (Bodin, Sustain Sci 16: 2151–2155, 2021) that sustainability science, as a research community, has begun to “lean to the left” in a problematic manner. On one hand, we remain unconvinced by the examples cited as indications for this tendency, and argue for caution in making such judgements. On the other hand, we hold that that there may be reasons for seemingly “left leaning” positions which are scienti…
Sustainability as a Real Utopia - Heuristics for transformative sustainability research
The idea of 'Sustainability as a Real Utopia' elaborated on here adapts sociologist Erik Olin Wright's emancipatory social science and is a heuristic informed by critical realism and social theory for interdisciplinary research on viable alternatives that move society towards achieving sustainability. Starting from the proposition that many environmental problems are rooted in how social structures and institutions interact with nature by shaping…
Social sustainability
Every farmer is a farmer? A critical analysis of the emergence and development of Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana
Smallholder farmer-based rural social movements have been heralded as a promising source of political power with the potential to effectively promote sustainable trajectories of agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. However, the very early stages of rural social movement building remain understudied, including under what conditions such nascent efforts are likely to lead to effective political influence and foundations for br…
Critical sustainability science
The objective of this paper is to present a critical sustainability science research program, which is founded on two critical theoretical/philosophical traditions: critical realism and historical materialism. We elaborate these traditions to clarify what they can analytically offer to socioecological analyses in sustainability science and emphasize their prospective contributions to sustainability transitions and transformations. A critical sust…
Politicising agricultural transformation through farmer groups’ everyday collective practices
Farmer collectives, such as farmer groups, play a crucial role in advancing struggles for inclusive and sustainable rural development. Yet their potential to influence agricultural policies and practices remains undervalued. Drawing on focus group discussions with farmer groups in northern Uganda, we examine how their routine collective practices function as critical mechanisms for cultivating viable but often overlooked social, economic, and eco…
Protecting While Promoting? The Limits of Agroindustry‐Driven Pesticide Safety in Ugandan Smallholder Agriculture
Pesticide use is expanding rapidly across sub‐Saharan Africa, while regulatory oversight and public protection structures remain weak, leaving smallholder farmers exposed to mounting health and environmental risks. In response, agrochemical industry actors have launched ‘safe use’ initiatives that emphasize training and personal protective equipment as evidence of corporate responsibility. This paper critically examines one such intervention in U…
Challenging ‘conventional agriculture’
This article analyses the emergence and evolution of the Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF) as a social movement organisation, focusing on factors which have enabled and hindered ZIMSOFF to meaningfully influence the trajectory of agrarian change in Zimbabwe. While in its early stages ZIMSOFF was heavily shaped by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), it later embarked on a path towards greater autonomy which it still retains,…
Ecology (9 works) · Political science (9 works) · Business (8 works) · Sustainability (7 works) · Agriculture (6 works) · Economics (6 works) · Environmental Science (6 works) · Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development (5 works) · Biology (5 works) · Environmental planning (5 works)