As a queer scholar and a woman of color, I am committed to examining the intricate socio-spatial and historical relationships between the natural environment and its surrounding contexts, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. My research not only emphasizes the healing qualities of nature but also applies an intersectional queer feminist lens to reveal the political and social consequences of access to green spaces. More importantly, it highlights the urgent need to address forms of oppression linked to whiteness, demonstrating how they perpetuate historical patterns through both concrete and symbolic forms of hegemony, and inspires a sense of urgency for social change.
Vanita Naidoo 