In memoriam

Born in Croydon, Professor Boyden graduated in Veterinary Science in London and began his career in immunology and bacteriology, working in Cambridge, New York, Paris, Copenhagen, and Canberra. He later turned his focus to Human Ecology and biohistory, becoming internationally recognised for advancing an integrative understanding of society–nature relations.

Stephen Boyden embodied the spirit of interdisciplinarity in addressing society’s relationship with nature—an approach the SEC aspired to as a team spanning sociology, biology, physics, history, economics, political science, and philosophy. We invited Professor Boyden as a speaker at our first international conference in 1999. His lecture was outstanding—both insightful and generous in its praise of our work—and it proved deeply inspiring for our subsequent efforts. The only conceptual difference between us lay in emphasis: he spoke in terms of “culture,” while our focus was on “economy.” 

Beyond his ideas, we remember the vivid image of him, with his long pointer raised toward the projection screen, affirming and encouraging our goals. His presence strengthened our conviction that complex societal challenges demand genuinely cross-disciplinary thinking. 

Professor Boyden will be remembered with gratitude and respect.

Marina Fischer-Kowalski