Alex Gilbert has successfully defended her MSc thesis!

September 2, 2026

Today, our dear Alex has successfully defended her MSc thesis “Threads of Change: Social-ecological transformations in the weaving practices of Tsimane’ women of Bolivian Amazonia”.

It has been such a pleasure to see her present her work with confidence, clarity, depth, and, above all, with the care and passion that she has put into this research. Her thesis explores how Tsimane’ women are maintaining, adapting and transforming the practice of saraij’ weaving in the face of profound social-ecological changes. In doing so, her thesis offers a beautiful example of how Indigenous knowledge and biocultural relationships can persist while also transforming in response to a changing world.

Alex, huge congratulations on this wonderful achievement! It has been a real privilege to accompany you on this journey and to see your ideas, confidence and research grow along the way. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished.

Congratulations, Alex, and here’s to all the threads still to be woven!!!!

The IEK-CHANGES project is an ERC Starting Grant funded by the European Union (IEK-CHANGES, 101117423) to Dr. Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

© 2026 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
All rights reserved

All Amazonian pictures by Joan de la Malla

Illustrations and logo design by Mar Cartró-Sabaté

El proyecto IEK-CHANGES es una beca «Starting Grant» del Consejo Europeo de Investigación (ERC) financiada por la Unión Europea (IEK-CHANGES, 101117423) y concedida al Dr. Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares.

No obstante, las opiniones y puntos de vista expresados son exclusivamente de los autores y no reflejan necesariamente los de la Unión Europea ni los de la Agencia Ejecutiva del Consejo Europeo de Investigación. Ni la Unión Europea ni la autoridad que concede la subvención se hacen responsables de los mismos.

© 2026 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Todos los derechos reservados

Todas las fotografías de la Amazonía son de Joan de la Malla

Ilustraciones y diseño del logotipo: Mar Cartró-Sabaté