The myth that pastoralists simply need ‘more markets’ to thrive rests on a set of deeply rooted assumptions about markets and animal husbandry. In this online event, we will explore persistent myths about markets, their roots and implications, and the alternatives that can be opened up by challenging them.
This event is part of a year-long series to explore ‘rangeland myths’ in global perspective, organised by the REPAiR Project as part of its engagement with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026).
Speakers
- Timothy Gibbs is associate professor of British Studies at Paris Nanterre, specialising in Commonwealth History. Timothy is part of the REPAiR project team, and his work focuses on meat value chains in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
- Oluwaṣeun Williams is a lecturer and assistant professor at Dublin University in the school of history. He is also a historian with research interests in One Health, pastoral ecology, livestock economy and food systems in Africa.
Chairs
- Ilse Köhler-Rollefson is a veterinarian and researcher. Ilse is co-founder of the League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development (LPP)as well as the social enterprise Camel Charisma to support camel herders in India develop milk value-added products.
- Lars Otto Naess is a social scientist and researcher specialising in climate change adaptation at the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex University. Lars Otto is also part of the REPAiR project team.
We warmly invite anyone with an interest in rangelands, pastoralism and myths about them, to join, share your stories and rethink how we ‘see’ rangelands and pastoralism.
How to participate
This event will take place on Zoom. Participants must register in advance to join. Spaces are limited.
As background to this event, please also read the think piece by Linda Pappagallo on the REPAiR Project website.
Key contacts
