The research examines three different frameworks related to lifestyles, spirituality, and the ecological question. Explorations were conducted at various events in Switzerland, such as the "Festival de la Terre" in Lausanne, exhibitions on plants and spirituality in Lausanne and Geneva, the "Alternatiba" festival in Geneva, and events in preparation for COP21. Criteria were established to select study sites, which include publicly accessible activities aimed at raising awareness of the ecological issue. These activities may have cultural, socio-religious, commercial, or scientific popularization dimensions, but they always refer to spirituality or religion. Researchers will conduct interviews, study documentation, participate in events, and observe practices and aesthetics to understand the socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-political factors that characterize these situations. An initial list of study sites has been established, including Glarisegg Castle, networks engaging in ecology through spiritual paths, and publications such as "Zeitpunkt." Commercial domains such as Umweltarena and scientific institutions like the University of Applied Sciences in Zurich are also considered for a comparative perspective. Interviews will be recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using specialized software. Regarding the third framework, which focuses on the role of religious actors in the ecological question, researchers will study institutional dynamics within the main churches of the country and interreligious platforms. The interweaving of levels of action in the institutionalization of religious groups will be considered, with a particular focus on the organization OEKU, which is engaged in environmental causes. Lastly, parishes in French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland will be studied to document religious practices related to ecological engagement. The critical analysis of the collected documents will allow verification of the frameworks present in these case studies.
Data: The collected dataset consists of various types of high-quality data:
Documentation:
Primary data: ethnographic observations from over 80 actions and events accessible to a wide audience, as well as grape harvesting and maintenance of biodynamic vineyards over a period of 3 years (including notes, photos, sketches, and films).
Secondary data: an approximately 200-document corpus comprising printed materials (books, flyers, brochures, posters, programs, reports, ecclesiastical or religious group documents, etc.) and digital resources (web pages).
Semi-structured interviews: Focused on ecological engagement, biographical and professional trajectories, and their connection to ideological, spiritual, religious, and political contexts. Interviews were conducted with 18 respondents from church backgrounds, 18 "moral entrepreneurs" from different age groups and professional backgrounds, who publicly advocate "ecospiritual" ideas (inner transition, happy sobriety, ecofeminism), and 40 biodynamic winegrowers.
Statistical data: Based on the Swiss Household Panel (SHP), specifically waves 16 (2014, 2015) and 17 (2015), as well as 115 questionnaires completed during two ecological festivals in Lausanne and Geneva in 2018.
Analyses: Various types of analysis were conducted on the collected data:
Discourse analysis using Grounded Theory: Interviews and some observation notes were transcribed verbatim and digitized. Coding was performed using MAXQDA software, guided by interview protocols, biographical and institutional trajectories, particularly theological/religious/spiritual paths. This analysis identified modes and moments of entry into ecology and spirituality, practices and discourses linking ecology with religion/spirituality and gender, representations (religious, secular, or spiritual) of the ecological crisis and its causes, barriers to ecological action, definitions/representations of "nature," position within the network and the landscape of environmentalism in Switzerland.
Spatial approach: Study of the interaction and arrangement of spaces during events.
Statistical analysis: The SHP data will be analyzed and compared with the data collected during the festivals. This analysis aims to identify patterns, trends, and correlations related to ecological engagement and other variables such as demographics, socio-economic status, and geographic location.
Statistical analysis: The SHP data will be analyzed and compared with the data collected during the festivals.
