Eugene Costello

Eugene Costello is a Lecturer and Principal Investigator at University College Cork (UCC), affiliated with the School of History and the Radical Humanities Laboratory. He specializes in environmental history, landscape archaeology, and rural studies, with a focus on medieval and early modern Europe, particularly Ireland.

Education:

• PhD in Upland Transhumance Practices, University of Galway (2016)
• MA in Landscape Archaeology, University of Sheffield
• BA in Archaeology and History, University College Cork

Research Interests: His work explores the long-term socio-environmental dynamics of rural communities, including transhumance, climate adaptation, historical ecology, and the intersection of agriculture and colonialism. He emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, combining archaeology, history, and environmental science to understand how human communities have shaped and adapted to upland landscapes.

Publication Trends: His recent articles (2021–2025) reflect a strong interdisciplinary focus, bridging environmental history, archaeology, and climate studies. Themes include the adaptation of pastoral societies to the Little Ice Age, the gendered dimensions of seasonal herding, and the application of historical ecology to modern conservation. His work often challenges deterministic narratives, highlighting local agency and resilience in rural economies.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• European Society for Environmental History Article Prize 2023 – Honourable Mention
• Shortlisted, European Association of Archaeologists Book Prize 2023
• American Conference for Irish Studies – Murphy Prize for Distinguished 1st Book 2020
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship 2021
• Swedish Research Council Project Grant 2021
• National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship 2016–17

Grants and Advising: As a Principal Investigator, he leads externally funded research projects, including a major Swedish Research Council grant. He has supervised students at the University of Galway, Stockholm University, and Uppsala University, and currently teaches and mentors at UCC. He welcomes PhD and postdoctoral inquiries in environmental history, landscape archaeology, rural studies, and related fields.

Labs and Research Groups: He is an active member of the Radical Humanities Laboratory at UCC, an interdisciplinary hub promoting innovative approaches to the humanities, particularly in sustainability and social justice.