Dr Simona Capisani

Assistant Professor in Environmental Philosophy 

What do you do?

I am Simona Capisani, an Assistant Professor of Environmental Philosophy at Durham University. Previously, I was a researcher at Princeton University in the Climate Futures Initiative in Science, Values, and Policy. As a political and moral philosopher, I examine the underlying principles, values, and concepts at play in local, national, and international contexts related to climate policy, climate migration, biodiversity and conservation, and just transitions.

How are you involved in this area of science? 

This project brings together philosophical and social scientific questions about the relationship between farmers, soil, and justice-based concerns, alongside scientific advancements that help restore degraded soils and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

I am currently engaging with farmers in the north of England to learn about their interests, concerns, and ideas regarding their role and identity as farmers, their thoughts on current challenges, their relationship to “waste,” and the barriers or opportunities they face in achieving better yields, more nutritious crops, improving soil structure, and gaining the benefits of healthier soils.

The project also explores farmers' perspectives on using amendments from drinking water processing to enhance soil health. The goal is to learn from and amplify farmers' knowledge about sustainable soils and practices.

What do you love about this topic?

As an environmental philosopher working at the intersection of the humanities, social science, and natural sciences, I am deeply interested in how soil is conceptualised, neglected, and connected with other moral, political, and social issues.

Soil might be perceived as inert or simply a medium for growing food. It is often disconnected from relationships of care or overlooked as something towards which we have responsibilities. Similarly, communities with direct ties to soil—such as farmers—are often “spoken for” or given minimal opportunities to participate in decision-making about land use under climate change and biodiversity loss. This project combines these considerations in meaningful ways

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

If we want to prioritise justice in transitioning to more sustainable living, understanding the assumptions, concepts, and values within and between communities and their relationship to elements like soil is crucial. It allows for a deeper understanding of shared values and highlights barriers to restoring our connection to soil. It also integrates different forms of knowledge into developing sustainable land stewardship and land use practices. By working directly with farmers, this project can assess whether certain soil improvement technologies are genuinely “available” or “accessible” for practical use.