Dr Julio Rodriguez Stimson

Julio is an anthropologist who is passionate about studying human relationships with the environment. For his Master's degree (KU Leuven), he studied the ambivalent relationship Cofán people of the Ecuadorian Amazon had with oil exploitation, following decades of toxic spills. Afterwards, for his DPhil (University of Oxford) he focused on the ways Galapagos farmers cope with the compounding risks of COVID-19, climate change, and agricultural pests. He developed the coexistential rift concept to describe how the globalization of 'manufactured risks' heightens people’s anxiety and sense of alienation, generating a vicious cycle of market dependency and debt peonage.

For the ReSET project, Julio will conduct archival and ethnographic research in Montserrat to explore how local communities perceive and adapt to the impacts of the Soufrière Hills volcano. He aims to understand the current risks and uncertainties faced by Montserratians and their relationship with the volcano through oral histories. Additionally, Julio will investigate local interest in geothermal energy and critical metal extraction, focusing on how these projects can be designed to promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Engaging with local perspectives is essential to ensure that these initiatives benefit the community while addressing the challenges posed by climate change.