The politics of a natural laboratory: Claiming territory and governing life in the Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands, often seen as a natural laboratory of evolution, have been shaped by the interplay of scientific research, conservation, and tourism over the past century. This study reveals that the metaphor of a 'natural laboratory' has not only influenced knowledge production but also underpinned global environmental governance and territorial management. It shows how foreign naturalists in the mid-twentieth century used this concept to establish the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station, employing biopolitical strategies to control human access and introduced species. However, the analysis demonstrates that this approach has been unsustainable, highlighting the complex interplay between scientific authority, conservation efforts, and governance in shaping the archipelago's future.

Hennessy, E. (2018). The politics of a natural laboratory: Claiming territory and governing life in the Galápagos Islands. Social Studies of Science, 48(4), 483–506. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306312718788179