Sian Sullivan

Sian Sullivan is a Professor of Environment and Culture at Bath Spa University, affiliated with the School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities. Her research focuses on environmental anthropology, cultural geography, and political ecology, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge systems, the financialization of nature, and conservation in Namibia. She leads projects like the AHRC-funded Etosha-Kunene Histories, exploring colonialism and conservation in Namibia’s national parks. Sullivan has supervised numerous PhD students and teaches modules on environmental humanities and conservation policy. Her work bridges academia and public engagement through exhibitions like Future Pasts and film collaborations.

Education:

• PhD in Anthropology, University College London (1998)
• BSc in Anthropology and Geography, University College London (1993)

Research & Grants: Sullivan leads major grants including the Leverhulme Trust’s Decolonial and Justice Perspective on Climate Change Adaptation and AHRC’s Etosha-Kunene Histories. Her work addresses biodiversity conservation, climate justice, and Indigenous rights.

Awards: Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and recipient of the British Academy Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Bath Spa University, University of Cologne, and University of Namibia. Engages with artists and film-makers to translate research into public dialogues.