Wednesday, July 29, 2026

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We all remember the first time we met Eleanor Sterling. There was in her the spirit of an Enlightenment philosopher, guided by insatiable curiosity and extraordinary breadth of knowledge. From the lives of plankton to fishers, Eleanor spoke with the same wonder and passion, bridging worlds that others might see as distant. Eleanor also had an intense affinity for languages, knowing how important they are to connect people with their land- and seascapes. Standing at the nexus of natural, social, and linguistic sciences, she stands among the pioneers of the biocultural approach. Despite her many honors and publications, Eleanor was never driven by ego. What defined her was her profound humanity. Her humility and generosity made her an exceptional listener, ever ready to give voice to those who are too often unheard — women, minorities, or simply the shy and overlooked. Above all, Eleanor was a weaver of connections. She believed that knowledge thrives when shared, and that science flourishes through collective thinking. Her life’s work was not just about understanding the world, but about linking people, nurturing communities, and giving visibility to the invisible. At a time when liberalism and capitalism often stifle creativity and cooperation, Eleanor’s life stands as a luminous reminder that science can be, at its heart, an act of care — for one another, and for the planet we share. In this session, we invite practitioners, researchers, policymakers and advocates to bear witness to Eleanor Sterling’s legacy. How did she shape their paths? What traces did she leave in their work, and in their lives?