Multidisciplinary methods on islands’ future imaginaries: The Islands 4 Future project in Ponza, Italy

Combining geography, anthropology and education studies, this contribution illustrates the multidisciplinary methodological aspects elaborated within the project “Islands 4 Future” while underscoring the necessity of engaging multiple disciplinary perspectives, languages, and interpretative frameworks to reconcile the descriptive-interpretative dimension of research with its potential for transformative action. The project is conceived as a multi-dimensional and participatory intervention on promoting cultural heritage, future opportunities and alternative tourism on small islands, starting from the proactive role of new generations, with an initial focus on Ponza. Like other small Mediterranean islands, Ponza faces social, infrastructural, and economic vulnerabilities, compounded by the challenges of tourism monoculture and the risks of seasonal overtourism. Young islanders form a fragile social group, facing limited opportunities, while also experiencing various forms of social and geographical marginalization. As a result, we aimed to strengthen the agency of young people in the territory through a 30-hour educational program involving participatory mapping and filmmaking. The intervention enabled young people to become active researchers, allowing them to express their own visions of the island’s heritage and future.