Bram Buscher

Prof. Bram Buscher is a Professor and Chair in the Sociology of Development and Change at Wageningen University, with a visiting position at the University of Johannesburg. His research focuses on the intersections of capitalism, environmental governance, and biodiversity conservation, particularly in Southern Africa. He has held prestigious grants like NWO Veni and Vidi, and authored influential books including The Conservation Revolution (2020) and The Truth about Nature (2021). His work critiques neoliberal conservation models and advocates for radical alternatives like 'convivial conservation.'

• Education: PhD (cum laude) in Political Science/Anthropology from VU Amsterdam (2009), with earlier studies in Political Science and Journalism.
• Research: Explores political ecology, neoliberalism, and the socio-economic impacts of conservation policies. Key themes include platform capitalism's role in environmental advocacy, militarization of conservation, and historical injustices in wildlife management.
• Awards: NWO grants, Oak Foundation support, and recognition for transformative environmental scholarship.
• Publications: Over 90 peer-reviewed articles, including landmark critiques of biodiversity frameworks and market-based conservation.
• Grants: Led projects like the Belmont Forum's 'Convivial Conservation' initiative, examining grassroots conservation models.
• Labs/Teams: Active in the 'Sociology of Development and Change' group and editorial boards of Conservation & Society and Geoforum.

Buscher's recent work addresses global biodiversity treaties, the UN's '30×30' initiative, and the militarization of conservation, arguing for systemic shifts beyond neoliberal frameworks.