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Riamsara Kuyakanon Knapp MA (Jt Hons), MPhil

PhD Candidate

Riam's research examines the relationship between Buddhist beliefs and practices and environmental conservation and addresses theorisations in cultural landscapes, political ecology and Buddhist modernities.

Biography

Of cross-cultural heritage, I was raised as a Thai Buddhist and grew up in Thailand while it was undergoing rapid economic development and personally witnessed changing landscapes and changing human values around me. Thus I am interested in the human engagement with nature and environmental conservation, and specifically the expression of Buddhist philosophies and the ways in which conservation landscapes are culturally inflected.

Career

  • 2008: Consultant (Bangkok) Asian Development Bank: Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative in the Greater Mekong Subregion
  • 2005 – 2007: Documentary film production (New York, Paris)
  • 2002 – 2004: Wildlife Conservation Society (New York) Development Department: International Conservation Support, Major Gifts and Individual Support
  • 2001: Thailand-U.S. Business Council (Bangkok): Assistant Director

Qualifications

  • PhD Candidate, Dept of Geography, University of Cambridge (2010 – present)
  • MPhil, Environment, Society & Development, University of Cambridge (2008-9)
  • FGASA Field Guide - Level I, South Africa (2008)
  • MA Jt Hons, Classics & English Literature, University of Edinburgh
  • International Baccalaureate, International School Bangkok

Awards

  • Margaret Stobie Keith Essay Prize – Best Classics Dissertation, University of Edinburgh
  • Current Archaelogy Essay Prize 'Wine and Monasticism'
  • FGASA Track & Sign II (2008)
  • Full Blue (volleyball) – University of Edinburgh
  • Half Blue (volleyball) – University of Cambridge

Research

My PhD research concerns the relationship between environmental conservation and Buddhist beliefs and practices in Bhutan, with particular focus on sacred natural sites conservation, whether it be through places such as neys or beyul, or practices such as ridam. My research draws from and addresses theorisations in cultural landscapes and political ecology. I am interested in multi-disciplinary research and employ methods that derive from the humanities, social and environmental sciences.

My wider research interests are:

  • Culture and Conservation
  • Sustainable Development
  • Sacred Natural Sites Conservation
  • Religion and Environment
  • Buddhist Studies
  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge

I am indebted to the Royal Government of Bhutan, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and to the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Conservation and Environment (UWICE) for enabling my research. I am grateful to the following funds for their financial support towards my research: William Vaughan Lewis Fund, Phillip Lake Fund, Department of Geography, Schumacher College bursary, Leslie Betts Fund, Newnham College Research and Travel Fund.

Publications

Selected presentation and publications

  • In Search of the Sacred Giants, 2011. Film. Co-produced by the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment & Information and Communication Services, Royal Government of Bhutan. TV, BBS. Dec 2011.
  • Phuntsho, S., Schmidt, K., Kuyakanon, R.S. and Temphel, K.J. (Eds.) 2011 Community Forestry in Bhutan: Putting People at the Heart of Poverty Reduction. Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment and Social Forestry Division. Jakar and Thimphu, Bhutan.
  • Conservation and Development in Bhutan: A subtle Challenge from the Heights (SSEASR Conference, Thimphu 2011)
  • A Holy Alliance? Historical Developments Behind the Framing of 'Buddhism' as an Ecological Religion (Royal Geographic Society AGM 2010)
  • Buddhism and Environmental Conservation in Bhutan: Reflections from a scoping trip (University of Cambridge, Contemporary South Asia discussion group 2010)
  • Bhutan: A Living Landscape (Schumacher College, Feb. 2010)
  • Bhutan: Dynamics of Conservation and Development (MPhil thesis, University of Cambridge 2009)
  • Nature at Wicken Fen, CUiD magazine (2009)
  • GMS Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative (Asian Development Bank, 2008)

External activities

  • Postgraduate Fellow, Royal Geographic Society
  • Board Member: RiSKy Films
  • Member, New Economics Foundation
  • Member, University of Cambridge, Political Ecology reading group
  • Member, University of Cambridge, Contemporary South Asia discussion group
  • Member, University of Cambridge, Magic Circle
  • Member, University of Cambridge, Travelling Knowledges reading group
  • Member, Royal Geographical Society, Geographies of Religion, Spirituality and Faith Working Group
  • Member, Royal Geographical Society, Developing Areas Research Group