Diana Raquel Vela Vela Almeida
About
My academic interests can be placed at the interface of political ecology, ecological economics and critical geography and my research can be grouped in three core themes. First, extractivism and environmental governance in Ecuador, Peru and Indonesia, particularly related to multi-scalar relations of power, political participation in decision-making and configurations of agencies and materialities in complex natural resources-based economies. Second, feminist and decolonial theorization of political ecology in Latin America, framed within the intersectionalities between capital, patriarchy and coloniality and the identification of historical and emerging proposals for transformation coming from social movements and organizations. Finally, the analysis of socio-territorial conflicts motivated by actions against development projects and green neoliberal schemes, with particular regard to the understanding of institutionality, territoriality and social and environmental justice.
My current postdoctoral research is part of the “Extractive Industries, Transparency and Citizen Engagement in the Global South” project at the Geography Department, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. It aims to extend the analysis of environmental governance to understand new forms of institutional transformations and multi-scalar political participation for the economic transitions in Belitung, Indonesia, an island that shows an interesting configuration of various natural resource-based economies. I am particularly interested in understanding forms of people agency and the material and discursive struggles over access, control and management of natural resources in the transition from mining to tourism in the island.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Vela-Almeida, D. “Seeing like a state” – “Seeing like the people”: a history of territory and resistance in the Southern Ecuadorian Amazon. Political Ecology (in press).
Vela-Almeida, D., Zaragocín, S., Bayón, M. & Arazola, I. 2020. Imagining plural territories of life: a feminist reading of resistance in the socio-territorial movements in Ecuador. Journal of Latin American Geography, 19(2), 265-287.
Moreano, M. & Vela-Almeida, D. 2020. El lugar de la ecología política dentro de la geografía latinoamericana: el caso de CLAG. Journal of Latin American Geography, 19(1), 74-83.
Kolinjivadi, V., Vela-Almeida, D., Martineau, J. 2019. Can the planet really be saved in Time? On the temporalities of socionature, the clock and the limits debate. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, 1-23.
Kolinjivadi, V., Van Hecken, G., Vela-Almeida, D., Kosoy, N & Dupras, J. 2019. Neoliberal performatives and the ´making´ of payment for ecosystem services. Progress in Human Geography, 1-23.
Vela-Almeida, D., Kolinjivadi, V., & Kosoy, N. 2017. The building of mining discourses and the politics of scale in Ecuador. World Development, 103, 188-198.
Vela-Almeida, D., Kuijk, F., Wyseure, G., & Kosoy, N. 2016. Lessons from Yanacocha: assessing mining impacts on hydrological systems and water distribution in the Cajamarca region, Peru. Water International, 41(3), 426-446.
Vela-Almeida, D., Brooks, G., & Kosoy, N. 2015. Setting the limits to extraction: a biophysical approach to mining activities. Ecological Economics, 119, 189-196.
BOOK CHAPTERS
Vela-Almeida, D. 2019. “Particiones territoriales: territorio minero y la construcción de un estado postneoliberal y plurinacional en Ecuador”. In: Colectivo de Geografía Crítica del Ecuador. Geografía Crítica para detener el despojo de los territorios: teorías y experiencias en Ecuador. Quito: Abya-Yala.
Vela-Almeida, D., Kuijk, F., Wyseure, G., & Kosoy, N. 2017. “Lessons from Yanacocha: assessing mining impacts on hydrological systems and water distribution in the Cajamarca region, Peru”. In Nickum, J.E., Brooks, D.B., Turton, A. R., & Esterhuyse, S. (eds). The Water Legacies of Conventional Mining. Routledge.
Vela-Almeida, D., & Alfaro Reyes, E. 2013. “Componente Antropológico”. In Prieto Méndez, J. Derechos de la Naturaleza. Fundamento, contenido y exigibilidad jurisdiccional. Quito: Corte Constitucional del Ecuador.
DISSERTATIONS AND ACADEMIC REPORTS
Vela-Almeida, D. 2016. “Mining, environments and people: depicting environmental, socio-economic and political understandings of mining conflicts in Cajamarca, Peru and Cordillera del Condor, Ecuador” Doctoral Dissertation, McGill University.
Vela, D. 2011. “Discourse Analysis of the Biodiversity Policy in Ecuador: a struggle between different coalitions” Masters Dissertation, Wageningen University.
Vela, D. 2011. “Collective action of small-scale producers of furniture in Jepara, Indonesia”. Internal Report, CIFOR. Bogor.
Vela, D. 2009. “IMBABURA: Páramo y Cosmovisión Indígena”. CAMAREN, Quito.
ACADEMIC INTERVIEWS
Vela-Almeida, D. y Giunta, I. (2019). “Religión, género y derechos humanos: entrevista a Juan José Tamayo”. Estado y Comunes.
Publications
2023
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Weldemichel, Teklehaymanot G Meskel.
(2023)
how does political ecology help us understand the social implications of the 30×30 conservation initiative?.
Current Conservation
Short communication
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Kolinjivadi, Vijay;
Ferrando, Tomaso;
Roy, Brototi;
Herrera, Héctor;
Vecchione Gonçalves, Marcela.
(2023)
The “Greening” of Empire: The European Green Deal as the EU first agenda.
Political Geography
Academic article
2021
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Gonzalez, Adrian;
Gavilán, Iracema;
Fenner Sánchez, Gabriela M.;
Torres, Nataly;
Ysunza, Valeria.
(2021)
The right to decide: A triad of participation in politicizing extractive governance in Latin America.
The Extractive Industries and Society
Academic article
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Moreano, Melissa.
(2021)
Why Ecuador’s Elections Matter to Ecological Struggles.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
León, Mauricio;
Lewinsohn, José Luis.
(2021)
Indicadores de Sostenibilidad en la Industria Minera Metálica. Policy Report prepared for the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC.
UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Compendium
-
Indra Kurniawan, Nanang;
Lujala, Päivi;
Angen Rye, Ståle;
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2021)
The role of local participation in the governance of natural resource extraction.
The Extractive Industries and Society
Editorial
-
Indra Kurniawan, Nanang;
Lujala, Päivi;
Rye, Ståle Angen;
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2021)
The role of local participation in the governance of natural resource extraction.
The Extractive Industries and Society
Academic literature review
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Torres, Nataly.
(2021)
The consultation in Ecuador, institutional fragility and participation in National Extractive Policy.
Latin American perspectives
Academic article
2020
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
Fieldwork in times of a pandemic.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
Extractivism.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
Ambientalismo corporativo: entre extractivismo, extrema derecha y crisis ambiental.
Ecología Política
Academic article
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
Seeing like the people: a history of territory and resistance in the southern Ecuadorian Amazon.
Journal of political ecology
Academic article
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Zaragocín, Sofía;
Bayón, Manuel;
Arrazola, Iñigo.
(2020)
Imagining Plural Territories of Life: A Feminist Reading of Resistance in the Socio-Territorial Movements in Ecuador.
Journal of Latin American Geography
Academic article
-
Moreano, Melissa;
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
El lugar de la ecología política dentro de la geografía latinoamericana: el caso de CLAG.
Journal of Latin American Geography
Academic article
2019
-
Kolinjivadi, Vijay;
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Martineau, Jonathan.
(2019)
Can the planet be saved in Time? On the temporalities of socionature, the clock and the limits debate.
Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space
Academic article
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2019)
Inside Ecuador's mass movement against neoliberalism.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2019)
The fight against the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies in Ecuador: Lessons for environmental and social justice.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Windey, Catherine;
Kolinjivadi, Vijay;
Van Hecken, G;
Moreano, Melissa;
Kosoy, N.
(2019)
COP25 climate summit: Action must include divestment, decolonization and resistance.
Website (informational material)
Journal publications
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Weldemichel, Teklehaymanot G Meskel.
(2023)
how does political ecology help us understand the social implications of the 30×30 conservation initiative?.
Current Conservation
Short communication
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Kolinjivadi, Vijay;
Ferrando, Tomaso;
Roy, Brototi;
Herrera, Héctor;
Vecchione Gonçalves, Marcela.
(2023)
The “Greening” of Empire: The European Green Deal as the EU first agenda.
Political Geography
Academic article
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Gonzalez, Adrian;
Gavilán, Iracema;
Fenner Sánchez, Gabriela M.;
Torres, Nataly;
Ysunza, Valeria.
(2021)
The right to decide: A triad of participation in politicizing extractive governance in Latin America.
The Extractive Industries and Society
Academic article
-
Indra Kurniawan, Nanang;
Lujala, Päivi;
Angen Rye, Ståle;
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2021)
The role of local participation in the governance of natural resource extraction.
The Extractive Industries and Society
Editorial
-
Indra Kurniawan, Nanang;
Lujala, Päivi;
Rye, Ståle Angen;
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2021)
The role of local participation in the governance of natural resource extraction.
The Extractive Industries and Society
Academic literature review
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Torres, Nataly.
(2021)
The consultation in Ecuador, institutional fragility and participation in National Extractive Policy.
Latin American perspectives
Academic article
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
Ambientalismo corporativo: entre extractivismo, extrema derecha y crisis ambiental.
Ecología Política
Academic article
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
Seeing like the people: a history of territory and resistance in the southern Ecuadorian Amazon.
Journal of political ecology
Academic article
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Zaragocín, Sofía;
Bayón, Manuel;
Arrazola, Iñigo.
(2020)
Imagining Plural Territories of Life: A Feminist Reading of Resistance in the Socio-Territorial Movements in Ecuador.
Journal of Latin American Geography
Academic article
-
Moreano, Melissa;
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
El lugar de la ecología política dentro de la geografía latinoamericana: el caso de CLAG.
Journal of Latin American Geography
Academic article
-
Kolinjivadi, Vijay;
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Martineau, Jonathan.
(2019)
Can the planet be saved in Time? On the temporalities of socionature, the clock and the limits debate.
Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space
Academic article
Report
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
León, Mauricio;
Lewinsohn, José Luis.
(2021)
Indicadores de Sostenibilidad en la Industria Minera Metálica. Policy Report prepared for the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC.
UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Compendium
INFORMASJONSMATR
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Moreano, Melissa.
(2021)
Why Ecuador’s Elections Matter to Ecological Struggles.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
Fieldwork in times of a pandemic.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2020)
Extractivism.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2019)
Inside Ecuador's mass movement against neoliberalism.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel.
(2019)
The fight against the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies in Ecuador: Lessons for environmental and social justice.
Website (informational material)
-
Vela Almeida, Diana Raquel;
Windey, Catherine;
Kolinjivadi, Vijay;
Van Hecken, G;
Moreano, Melissa;
Kosoy, N.
(2019)
COP25 climate summit: Action must include divestment, decolonization and resistance.
Website (informational material)
Media
2021
-
InterviewVela Almeida, Diana Raquel; Moreano, Melissa; de la Vega, Candela. (2021) Diálogos desde el Sur: extractivismos y ecofascismos. Crítica y Resistencias. Revista de conflictos sociales latin Crítica y Resistencias. Revista de conflictos sociales latin [Journal] 2021-12-15
2020
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LectureVela Almeida, Diana Raquel. (2020) Hacer ecología política desde América latina: algunos desafíos por venir. CREDA, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle La Ecología Política en América Latina – Simposio Internacional 2020-12-09 - 2020-12-11
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Academic lectureVela Almeida, Diana Raquel. (2020) Decolonizing ecological relations. University of Antwerp Debating Development 2020-10-20 - 2020-10-20
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Academic lectureVela Almeida, Diana Raquel. (2020) Ecologías Políticas y Conflictos Ambientales. Re-existencias en los sures. University of Granada South Training Action Network of Decoloniality - Semilleros de Investig-Acción Sures Decoloniales 2020-12-10 - 2020-12-10
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Popular scientific lectureVela Almeida, Diana Raquel. (2020) Ecological relations and violence towards nature. TedX University of Essex Violence Conference 2020-11-14 - 2020-11-14
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LectureVela Almeida, Diana Raquel. (2020) Doing political ecology from Latin America. Contested Natures POLLEN20 Conference 2020-09-22 - 2020-09-25
2019
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LectureVela Almeida, Diana Raquel. (2019) Participation tools for Natural Resource Governance in Ecuador, between legal rights for decision- making and the international policy discourse. NTNU Nordic Geographers Meeting 2019-06-16 - 2019-06-19