The Centre for Global Sustainability has announced that Robert Macfarlane will take up the 2026 Arne Næss Chair at the University of Oslo this coming Autumn.

Previous holders include the Dalai Lama, Olga Tokarczuk, Ramchandra Guha, David Abram.

The appointment honours his work and influence in shaping contemporary discussion about environmental justice, ‘deep time’, and our responsibilities towards future generations. The Centre recognises him as ‘one of the most influential writers and environmental thinkers of his generation’.

His book Is a River Alive?  has been singled out by the centre for urging readers to see rivers ‘not as resources, but as life-forces and fellow subjects whose future is inextricably bound up with our own.’

Many congratulations, Robert!