Julius is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work spans the fields of sociology, theology and environmental science. He is a Doc.CH research fellow with the Swiss National Science Foundation and is affiliated with MESH at the University of Cologne, as well as with the Department of Sociology, and Centre for Religion, Economy and Politics respectively at the University of Basel.
Julius’ PhD focuses on American SCAIs (Sustainable Christian Agricultural Initiatives). Specifically, he is uncovering how SCAIs can pioneer sustainability transitions in landscapes dealing with complex rural decline (“Farmageddon”).
For the project, Julius is taking a mixed methods approach: Qualitative data is being collected at Hungry World Farm, Illinois and Bethlehem Farm, West Virginia. There, Julius is observing the religious beliefs promoted, and how these beliefs drive sustainable practices, such as small-scale agriculture and community outreach. Julius is also developing an online survey to be distributed to all SCAIs in the rural USA. The survey will provide generalizable quantitative results that will enable a broader understanding of the work that SCAIs do, and the ways in which they are engaging with challenges surrounding sustainable development in the rural USA.
In addition to his doctoral work, Julius enjoys teaching and engaging with others about his research. In recent years, he has given a number of talks across Europe and North America focusing on sustainable agriculture and the greening of religion. He is also an active member of the Association for the Sociology of Religion, and the Rural Sociological Society.
Recent Publications:
Hearn, A., Buzzi, A. L., Malin, J., & Koehrsen, J. (2024). Sustainable development through religious environmental engagement? Evidence from Switzerland. Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3064
Selected Workshops and Conference Presentations:
Turning Jefferson Upside Down: Case Study of a Sustainable Christian Agricultural Initiative at Bethlehem Farm, West Virginia. Paper presentation at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Sociology of Religion, Philadelphia (USA). 20th August 2023.
Are Religions Becoming Green? An overview of Religious Environmental Engagement in Switzerland. Stakeholder Workshop with Eco-Eglise Switzerland to communicate the results of the ARG Project. Lausanne, 21st May 2024.
Introducing Multiple Farmageddons: Agricultural History and US Rural Decline. Workshop for Undergraduate Students. Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, Michigan, USA. 22nd July 2024.
Teaching:
Winter Term 2024:
- MA-seminar: Watching the World Burn - War and Climate in the End of Times (Applied Literary and Cultural Studies, University of Cologne)
Fall Semester 2023:
- MA-seminar: Introduction to the Economics of Religion (Faculty of Theology, University of Basel)