Fellow Feelings explores the cognitive-affective dimensions of biodiversity through a citizen science project with young people. The project is a response to a need to understand biodiversity not only factually and cognitively but also to produce information of how feelings of affection emerge and can be supported. Combining ecological inquiry with education and biological art, the project will combat biodiversity loss by exploring how someone becomes a ‘fellow’ who we recognize as in need of protection. The flagship species of the project are insects. Fellow Feelings proceeds in two empirical stages. First, young people work with ecologists aiming at discovering an entirely new insect species through methods of DNA barcoding and genomics. Second, they collaborate with an artist to combine knowledge from the first stage with creative exercises in interspecies attachment. This project is based on two paradigmatic shifts: DNA barcoding in taxonomy and multispecies thinking in education. The long-term impact locates in progressing environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive education. The project is conducted at the Faculties of Education and Science.
