Inspired by and based on the synergy of a multiplicity of theories, practices, methods, and disciplines—including (but not limited to) political ecology, political ontology, critical incident methodology, critical cultural studies, eco-spiritualities such as The Work that Reconnects, transformative learning, southern epistemologies, degrowth and other systemic alternatives, Theatre of the Oppressed, participatory action research, Indigenous traditions, permaculture, actor-network theory, religious studies, and environmental sciences—the hypothesis underlying the TANC conference is that the polarity between apocalypse and regeneration can be transcended through a transdisciplinary process based on four core strategies:
1. Decentering for regeneration: questioning the cultural framework that conforms and confirms our perception of the world. This is about entering a state of mind where everything we think is true might not be, and everything we think impossible might actually be true.
2. Cultivating ontological awareness: the decentering of our cultural framework allows us to access and become aware of both our ontological underpinnings and the possibility of other ontologies. As a result, we become aware of where our epistemological legitimacy lies, and which methodologies we are more prone to engage with.
3. Reclaiming planetary purpose: decentered awareness allows us to dig deep into what is truly important to us, and reconfigure our (professional) paths based on meaning-making, identity, roots, and purpose in relation to a complex ecosystem of organic and inorganic beings.
4. Engaging in regenerative action: purpose requires action, but not all actions are equal. Exploring practical individual and collective possibilities that engage emotion, body, thought, and territory is the determining factor in transcending apocalyptic individuality towards collective regeneration.
This approach is a work in progress and requires multidisciplinary theoretical and practical analysis, which we hope will emerge as a result of the TANC conference.