Ethnic Studies chair earns Cornell fellowship

December 13, 2024

The Cornell Society for the Humanities has awarded a fellowship to Albion College Ethnic Studies Chair Elizabeth Barrios.

During the year-long fellowship, Barrios will conduct interdisciplinary research aligned with the theme “scale.”

“During my time at Cornell, I will be working on my second book, Plastic Environmentalisms: Petrocultures and Climate Denial in Latin America, which examines how oil companies in Venezuela, Colombia, and Perú use environmental aesthetics to perpetuate climate denial and resist post-carbon transitions,” Barrios said.

“The project stems from my interest in how aesthetic representations of nature shape perceptions of environmental issues,” she said. “I was struck by how oil companies use art, museum sponsorships, and public relations campaigns to greenwash their practices, constructing a misleading vision of environmental responsibility.”

Barrios said the project will provide fresh material and perspectives for her courses in Latin American and environmental studies. 

“It will enhance my ability to guide students in analyzing how cultural production influences perceptions of climate change and environmental justice,” she said. “This project reflects my commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and to addressing pressing global challenges through research and teaching.”