Mimi Sheller, Dean of The Global School, gave a lecture on May 7, 2026, at the University of the Blearic Islands organized by the group Geografies Crítiques de la Urbanització, Sostenibilitat i Turistificació (CRIGUTS) [ Critical Geographies of Urbanization, Sustainability, and Touristification) and the Casa Planas Foundation, which was covered by the two main newspapers in Mallorca. Sheller was also interviewed by a television outlet in Mallorca. Published news stories on Sheller’s presentation can be found in https://www.diariodemallorca.es/mallorca/2026/05/08/mimi-sheller-sociologa-estadounidense-modelo-129965073.html, and https://www.ultimahora.es/noticias/local/2026/05/07/2624915/mimi-sheller-turismo-debe-priorizar-poblacion-frente-beneficio.html.
Sheller’s talk concerned the pressure of mass tourism on housing, mobility and natural resources. She advocated moving towards more sustainable models. Mallorca is the headquarters of several major international hotel companies, but has seen growing criticism of “overtourism”. Similar criticism is growing in Barcelona. Sheller suggested that more sustainable and diversified models for just transitions in tourism might include development of local economies, agroecology, renewable energy and regenerative tourism that is capable of reducing the environmental impact and strengthening resilience. She compared the experiences of Caribbean islands, where she has done research for more than 25 years.
The talks followed on from her visit on May 4 to the Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB), where she was invited to join a rich day of lectures and conversations on transitions for the international seminar, “Sustainability of the Tourist City.” This seminar marked the end of CCCB’s cycle of public events on Cities and Tourism. Sheller participated in a panel on “Just Mobilities in Transition” and held a joint public lecture with sociologist Claire Colomb on “Urban Policies and Global Mobility”). The day ended with an informal gathering with young Catalan and Spanish journalists covering climate change and climate and environmental crises. The discussion was organized by Esfera Climática, which seeks to bring together researchers and journalists to think of new ways to communicate around climate.recording here). The day ended with an informal gathering with young Catalan and Spanish journalists covering climate change and climate and environmental crises. The discussion was organized by Esfera Climática, which seeks to bring together researchers and journalists to think of new ways to communicate around climate.
