Episode 5: The Times of Water

In this episode, Keri and Michel explore the role of time in conflicts over water and rivers in Goa, the Netherlands and the UK with political scientist Peter De Souza, artist-researcher Harriet Hand and scholar-activist Miriam Jensen.  

Hosts and Guests

• Keri Facer (Professor of Educational and Social Futures, University of Bristol, UK)
• Michel Alhadeff-Jones (Executive Director, Sunkhronos Institute, Switzerland)
• Peter De Souza (formerly Director, Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), at Goa University and Professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies )
• Miriam Jensen (Researcher, Aalborg University)
• Harriet Hand (Senior researcher, University of Bristol) 

 Summary

In this episode, Keri and Michel explore with three leading experts how time plays a role in conflicts over water and rivers. They discuss the relations between geological, cultural, ecological and political times shaping river disputes in Goa, the changing calendars of farmers and zebra mussels in a Danish river, and the competing ideas of river times between wild swimmers and water companies in the UK. 

References & Resources Mentioned

• Peter De Souza’s book ‘Mha Dei: River Goddess’ and documentary are available at the following website: http://mhadeicollective.com/
• Miriam’s work on temporal attunement around the river: https://doi.org/10.1177/0961463X241301280
• Harriet’s work on visualising time is part of the temporal imagination project: www.temporalimagination.org 
• Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s book ‘Theory of Water: Nishnaabe Maps to the Times Ahead’ https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2533-theory-of-water
• Michelle Callon
• Penny Johns

External Links

• The Times of a Just Transition - Global Convening Programme: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/projects/the-times-of-a-just-transition/
• Sunkhronos Institute: https://www.sunkhronos.org/
• The Temporal Imagination: https://www.temporalimagination.org

The Temporal Imagination Podcast is supported by

• British Academy “The Times of a Just Transition” Global Convening Programme
• Sunkhronos Institute
• The School of Education, University of Bristol
• The Sarchi Chair in Global Change and Social Learning, Rhodes University

 Credits

• Hosts: Keri Facer & Michel Alhadeff-Jones
• Audio/video editing: Sarah Van Borek, Michel Alhadeff-Jones, Keri Facer
• Artwork: Harriet Hand
• Music: Briony Greenhill, “Die Every Day” 
• Recorded and edited with Riverside.fm and Adobe Premiere

To watch the video recording of this podcast (which includes closed captions), go to: https://www.youtube.com/@institutsunkhronos/podcasts