Speculative Sonic Processes: Sensing Climate Change from Non-Human Perspectives through Sound

Abstract

Climate change affects sound propagation and shapes acoustic environments. This presentation focuses on the role of sound and listening in enhancing environmental perception. Sound offers sensory and embodied forms of knowing and experiencing environmental change that provide new opportunities to imagine the future state of landscapes and ecosystems. Airborne, surface, underwater and underground vibrations are explored through speculative sonic processes serving as creative responses to climate change scenarios. Through the manipulation of environmental sound recordings centred on their spectral, textural and rhythmic qualities, non-human experiences and perspectives are proposed as alternative ways of sensing climate change. The speculative sonic processes are employed in sound pieces and interactive applications, allowing listeners to experience and transform environmental sounds across scales and perspectives.

Biography

Eleni-Ira Panourgia  is a sound and visual artist, and researcher. Her work focuses on the development of new forms of expression and creative methods that combine sound, objects, spaces and environments. She explores the potential of such complex morphologies within artistic, design, social and ecological processes. Eleni-Ira’s work has been presented internationally in museums, galleries, festivals, exhibitions, radio shows, academic journals, edited volumes and conferences. Eleni-Ira completed a PhD in Art at the University of Edinburgh as a Scholar of the Onassis Foundation. She is co-founder and managing editor of the journal Airea: Arts and Interdisciplinary Research. Eleni-Ira is the INTERSECT Visiting Research Fellow for Fall 2025 at the University of Copenhagen.