CFP: Workshop: Climate, Emotion, and Mental Health

We are delighted to welcome abstracts for a two-day workshop to be held on the 14th and 15th of August at the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, exploring the intersections between philosophy of climate and the environment and philosophy of psychology, emotion and mental health. This workshop is generously funded by a grant from the Leverhulme Trust. 

Location: Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge

Organisers: Juliette Vazard, Central European University, Harriet Fagerberg, University of Cambridge 

Workshop Dates: 14th and 15th of August 2025

Deadline: 4th of July 2025

Possible topics include but are not limited to: 

• What are the functions of future directed emotions like hope and fear in contemplating the climate crisis? In which sense(s) are these emotions valuable?
• What, if anything, can psychological research tell us about the best way to increase motivation towards climate action? What are limitations or critiques of such research? 
• Are concepts like ‘climate anxiety’ and ‘climate depression’ useful? At what point does legitimate concern about the climate crisis tip into mental ill health? 
• How do these issues intersect with the literature on well-being?
• How might an evolutionary perspective on the mind inform our approach to climate change? 
• How are our attitudes towards the natural world influenced by explicitly moral emotions such as anger, disgust or guilt? 
• What lessons can be learned by analogising with other large-scale social and political challenges? 
• What role is there, if any, for strongly positive emotions such as feelings of awe, wonderment, or connectedness with nature? 

We will not be able to fund travel for accepted speakers. For this reason, and for sustainability reasons, we particularly welcome submissions from those who can easily make their way to Cambridge by train. We also welcome submissions from fields outside of philosophy.  

Although we envisage that this will be an in-person event, we may be able to accommodate online presentation.

To apply, please email an abstract of no more than 500 words to Juliette Vazard ([email protected]) and Harriet Fagerberg ([email protected]) by 4th of July. Please use the subject line ‘Climate and Emotion 2025’.