International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE)

08/11/2026

Dear International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE) Membership,

Every two years, members of the ISE are invited to nominate candidates for the Board of Directors. We are currently accepting nominations for the incoming Board until August 19, 2026.

Open Positions:

Elected Positions

➡️Vice-President Elect (2-year term; automatically succeeds to President for the following 2 years at the next ISE Congress) — 1 nomination received

➡️Secretary (4-year term)

➡️Treasurer (4-year term)

➡️Regional Representatives (2-year terms, one from each major region):

- Africa
- Central and South America and the Caribbean — 1 nomination received
- North America — 1 nomination received
- Asia — 1 nomination received
- Europe — 1 nomination received
- Oceania and Pacific Islands — 1 nomination received

➡️Appointed Ex-Officio Positions

(Nominations are open for these positions; however, they are appointed by the outgoing Board rather than voted on by the general membership.)

➡️Student Representatives

Note: Present or past attendance at the ISE pre-congress student workshops is a plus. Candidates interested in running for these appointed positions must also include a letter of interest.

➡️Co-Chairs of the ISE Ethics Program

Eligibility Requirements

💡To qualify for nomination, all candidates must be members in good standing with the ISE. Attendance requirements are as follows:

💡Executive Officers (Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer): Must have attended at least two prior ISE biennial Congresses.

💡Regional Representatives and Student Representatives: Must have attended at least one prior ISE biennial Congress.

Submission Guidelines

💡You may nominate yourself or someone else with whom you are familiar, provided that person accepts the nomination in writing.

Please send your email nominations no later than August 19, 2026 to [email protected] with the subject line ISE Nominations 2026.

Nominations must include:

Candidate's Full Name, Affiliation, and Position for Nomination
Confirmation that the nominee is a member in good standing with the ISE
Number of ISE Congresses attended
A short biography and a photograph (optional, but encouraged as supporting material)

For Appointed Positions (Student Reps / Ethics Co-Chairs): A letter of interest

These materials will be presented to the ISE membership so everyone in our community can familiarize themselves with the candidates, and will be linked directly to the electronic ballots.

We extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing Board members for their dedicated service to the International Society of Ethnobiology!

On behalf of the ISE Board,

Nemer E. Narchi

Secretary, International Society of Ethnobiology

07/31/2026

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Janelle Baker on her election as the new President of the International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE)!

Dr. Baker takes office during the 19th ISE Congress in Cairns, Australia. She will serve a two-year term, leading the society’s mission to bridge traditional environmental knowledge with global research.

We are incredibly excited for the vast knowledge and profound expertise she brings to this leadership role. As an Associate Professor of Anthropology and a dedicated co-editor of Ethnobiology Letters, Dr. Baker has spent years advancing community-based research and championing Indigenous food sovereignty. Her deep collaborative work with the Bigstone Cree Nation and her focus on traditional wild foods and land rights exemplify the exact vision and impact that will continue to grow the ISE network.

Please share your congratulations below as we welcome Dr. Baker into this new chapter of leadership! Janelle Baker

07/31/2026

This week, NAILSMA CEO Barry Hunter spoke at the 19th International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE) Congress in Cairns, joining Indigenous knowledge holders, researchers, practitioners and communities from around the world 🌎

Barry spoke about several key issues, including the importance of properly valuing Indigenous people’s role in looking after and determining what happens on Country. He emphasised that anything happening on Country needs to reflect community aspirations, strengthen the on-Country Indigenous workforce, and help build a sustainable and equitable future ✊🏾

“Indigenous knowledge and access to Country is our capital, which needs to be seen as part of our equity,” Barry said.

“We can no longer only be recipients of funded training or jobs. In our approach, if we are changing what rangers are doing on Country, or the aspirations of community, then we’re losing the battle.”

The Congress provided a valuable opportunity to not only share Indigenous-led approaches to looking after Country, but strengthen relationships with partners, and contribute to global conversations.

07/26/2026

🌿 The 19th International Society of Ethnobiology Congress is officially underway in Cairns, Australia! 🌏

Today we proudly opened ISE Congress 2026 in partnership with the Ecological Society of Australia, bringing together Indigenous knowledge holders, researchers, practitioners, activists, and community leaders from around the world. Together, we’re celebrating this year’s theme: “Indigenous and Local Knowledge Connections: Honouring Heritage and Innovation.” Over the coming days, we’ll share knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and explore pathways toward a more just and sustainable future.

ISECongress2026.com

A huge thank you to everyone who has joined us in Australia! We’re thrilled to welcome you and look forward to an inspiring week of learning, connection, and collaboration.

Ecological Society of Aus Shujaul Mulk Khan Janelle Baker

Cairns Australia

07/26/2026

Three field trips are on their way this morning, accompanied by a group of very excited delegates! 🍃For the complete details on this year’s field trips, visit isecongress2026.com. Thanks for the photo, Gena!

07/26/2026

The ISE Congress commences today, July 26th! Stay tuned for updates here as we delve into the topic, “Indigenous and Local Knowledge Connections: Honoring Heritage and Innovation.” Photo: Janelle Baker, the ISE president-elect with students in a pre-Congress meetings in the ethnobotany section of Cairns Botanical Garden.

07/08/2026

🔥 Cultural fire management, natural resource stewardship, and Two-Way Science initiatives will be among the important topics featured at ISE Congress 2026.

Learn how Indigenous and Western knowledge systems can work together to address complex environmental challenges.

For more details, visit - isecongress2026.org

06/24/2026

🌿 From edible and medicinal plants to climate resilience and food security, ISE Congress 2026 will explore the vital role of Indigenous and local knowledge in supporting healthy communities and ecosystems.



Check out the full porgram -

ISE 2026 Congress Program Please note that this program is subject to change without notice. Click on each presentation title to view presenter details and abstract WEDNESDAY 22 – SATURDAY 25 JULY 2026 – ISE 2026 STUDENT PRE-CONGRESS STUDENT EVENT SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026 – Field Trips (optional) a...

05/04/2026

FREE WEBINAR: May 5, 2026 at 1 pm US Eastern Time

People and Plants International and partners invite you to the upcoming webinar "Ethics in Community and Biodiversity Research: Sharing experiences and learnings." A recording will be posted on the People and Plants International website.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kFPdsC9cSCmDlVouhrgaWw #/registration

This webinar will share stories and insights from researchers, practitioners and Indigenous peoples on equitable and ethical research practices. The purpose of the webinar is to open a conversation on research ethics by exploring a diversity of experiences and approaches of individuals from different cultural, geographic, institutional and disciplinary contexts. It will include exploration of how thinking and practice have evolved in recent decades, including with the International Society of Ethnobiology’s Code of Ethics, and other forms of guidance.

This webinar will lay the foundation for future webinars which will more comprehensively address this important, broad and challenging topic. The webinar will be interactive, offering learnings, exchanges and exploration. For those who have not worked deeply in the area of equity and ethics in research, it will also provide an introduction to some of the recent thinking and practice through the lens of specific research partnerships and institutional approaches.

This webinar is produced in partnership with the Rethinking Biodiversity-Based Economies program. This is also the fourth in a People and Plants series of webinarsexploring tools and methodologies associated with knowledge exchange, drawing upon People and Plants' decades-long experience.

People and Plants International and partners invite you to the upcoming webinar Ethics in Community and Biodiversity Research: Sharing experiences and learnings. This webinar will share stories and insights from researchers, practitioners and Indigenous peoples on equitable and ethical research prac...