Thomas Lekan

Thomas Lekan is Professor of History and Earth, Ocean & Environment with joint appointments in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina. His research examines European environmental history, cultural landscapes, and the global legacies of conservation in Africa.

Research interests include:

• Transnational histories of wildlife conservation in Tanzania and Germany
• Cultural landscape preservation and regional identity formation
• Tourism development and sustainable heritage management
• Historical dimensions of Anthropocene debates
• Environmental thought in German cultural criticism

Lekan's award-winning book 'Our Gigantic Zoo' investigates German conservationist Bernhard Grzimek's role in creating Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, exploring tensions between global conservation ideals and local community impacts. Current projects examine 'wildlife utilization' schemes during decolonization and Germany's sustainability transitions through grassroots innovation.

He has received fellowships from the National Humanities Center, Rachel Carson Center, and Max Planck Institute. Lekan teaches courses in environmental history, modern Germany, the Anthropocene, and conservation policy.