Oxford hosts first interdisciplinary conference on deserts

Oxford University is to hold the world's first interdisciplinary conference on deserts at the School of Geography and the Environment on April 15-16. Experts in a range of fields relating to dryland populations and environments will come together to discuss issues such as archaeology, history, heath, religion, literature and the development of desert communities. Co-organiser Lisa Mol of Oxford's Centre for the Environment (OUCE) said: 'We hope to improve our understanding of deserts by encouraging researchers from all over the world who have different areas of expertise to work together for the first time at the Oxford Interdisciplinary Desert Conference.' Troy Sternberg, also of OUCE, said: 'For many communities, deserts and drylands are a home, not just a picture on a postcard, and Oxford University hopes that studying deserts in this way will improve these people's lives.' The Oxford Interdisciplinary Desert Conference will be attended by researchers, charities and NGOs from across the globe. The BBC, the West and North Africa Conservation Programme, the Golden Web Foundation and the Sahara Conservation Fund will be represented, alongside academics from the USA, Egypt, China, Canada and Europe. Professor Michael Petraglia, from Oxford's School of Archaeology, will give the introductory address on the significance of deserts in shaping the evolutionary history of homo sapiens. For many communities, deserts and drylands are a home, not just a picture on a postcard, and we hope that studying deserts in this way will improve these people's lives.