Landing Sites: David Attenborough Edition

Sir David Attenborough turned 100 on 8 May 2026. Over this century, our planet has undergone an extraordinary transformation and now sits at the edge of collapse, facing the existential risk of planetary destruction. So what does the soothing, huggable baritone of David Attenborough have to do with it?

In this edition of Landing Sites we take a critical look at his work. Using his early series Zoo Quest (1954-1963) as a starting point, we'll trace how nature documentary-making is entangled with imperial and colonial processes, and how his voice and way of storytelling creates a false separation from nature. 

What does it mean to speak in the voice of Attenborough? What power do stories about nature hold? How are they constructed, and who gets erased from these stories? How do they shape human–nature relationships?

Please join us in our reading group sessions by signing up via the form. 

During each session we will read short text extracts, watch video material, and listen closely to Attenborough's voice. No preparation or prior experience is needed, we go through the material together and share informally about what comes up from doing so.