Dr. Nadja Imhof

I am a human geographer whose academic voyage began at the University of Zurich, where I obtained both my Bachelor and Master of Science degrees, majoring in Geography with a minor in Biology. This multidisciplinary foundation allowed me to explore the complex interrelations between geographical spaces and biological entities, fostering a deep appreciation for the more-than-human interactions within urban ecosystems. Following my undergraduate and postgraduate studies, I pursued a Teaching Diploma for secondary and higher education at the University of Zurich, specializing in Geography and Biology before starting my doctoral journey at the University of Lausanne. Under the mentorship of Prof. Martin Müller, I delved into the cohabitation dynamics between humans and urban wildlife, specifically rats, within the city of Zurich. This research underscored the importance of rethinking our urban coexistences and advocated for a more inclusive understanding of multispecies cities by challenging anthropocentric views of cities and nature and advocating for a multispecies approach to urban living that recognizes the integral roles of all beings in shaping our environments. Joining the University of Frankfurt in February 2024, I aim to build on my previous research and investigate nature and human-animal relations through the lens of indigenous knowledges as well as explore the methodological repertoire to conduct more-than-human research and apply multispecies ethnographies in the field.