This collection critically explores the inherent fragilities within global political, social, and ecological systems that were exposed and amplified by the world's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributors from around the globe argue the response laid bare vulnerabilities in our social structures such as authoritarianism, nationalism, racism, colonialism, and labor exploitation—systems that disproportionately harm the most vulnerable during moments of crisis. These societal fragilities not only brought new attention to vulnerabilities but also highlighted divergent paths of possibility away from then-familiar and entrenched social and environmental narratives and practices.The collection is a critique of the “returning to normal" narrative, arguing that the future must be shaped from the present moment. Contributors argue speculative fiction is a powerful tool for imagining and exploring alternatives to current societal paradigms—enabling us to envision futures that are more just, resilient, interconnected, and environmentally sustainable. These narratives serve both as warnings and as blueprints, reflecting the imagination’s long-standing role in challenging societal norms and proposing new social and environmental models.Drawing on the tools of postcolonial studies, digital media analysis, posthumanism, environmental studies, and epistemology, contributors unfold speculative fictions in multiple media, reimagining the social, environmental, cultural, and infrastructural vulnerabilities so commonly narrated in SF as opportunities to envision living in ways that are more equitable, sustainable, and peaceful.
