Editorial

Issue 18

Ideas about the ‘more-than-human’ have developed extensively over the past two decades, despite their longer histories, in various disciplines that have challenged the dissociation of humans from other species and things. This has attracted the attention of artists, activists, academics, policymakers and others. Many now agree that decentring the human is essential if we are to meet the pressing challenges of our world, in both local and global contexts. Yet, only a small fraction of this work has used mapping practices to tell more-than-human stories, histories and practices, or used mapping to engage wider audiences with these issues. We believe that the time has come to gather together the threads of more-than-human mappings into a special issue, to share our knowledge and ideas, to exchange good practice, and inspire each other.

Issue 18 is home to ten contributions from our first conference, held in April 2025. Across a spectrum of forms, modes and expressions they explore a broad spectrum of more-than-human mapping practices: maps of the more-than-human, mapping with the more-than-human, and mapping from the more-than-human. Collectively they highlight the passion of mapping beyond conventional realms and foreground the value of process and participation in doing so. We hope readers will follow the conference attendees and find them to be a rich source of value and inspiration across disciplines and practice.

This issue also marks the end of Debbie Kent’s time with Livingmaps Review as the editor of Mapworks. On behalf of the directors, editors and readers, I would like to thank Debbie for all the work she put into making Mapworks what it is today. It still surprises me how differently artists are using and conceptualising maps in their work, and we have her to thank for highlighting this, issue after issue. After six years in the role, it is also time for me pass on the baton as Editor-in-chief and see where Livingmaps Review goes next. There’s a freedom and spirit of thought in Livingmaps Review, which I've found great comfort in. Long live LMR! As I sign off I would like to thanks the many contributors whose work I’ve learned from, the readers who continue to support the journal, and my fellow editors, Barbara Brayshay, Blake Morris and Clare Qualmann, who have made the job a real pleasure. Welcome to Jina Lee, Heather Miles and Lara Band, who have come on board as editors for this issue and are now part of the editorial team.

A final note on the year ahead. June 2026 will see our second conference, Shared Earth, Unequal Burdens: Living Maps for Environmental Justic. Stay tuned for details. We’d love to see you there.

Mike Duggan

Editor-in-chief

28th January 2026