Jennifer J. Wilhoit, PhD - CTEC - Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation - Antioch University New England wilhoit

Jennifer J. Wilhoit, PhD

Personal Statement:

I feel that the greatest benefit of being a CTEC Associate is the connection with like-minded professionals. The work we do to promote biological (and cultural) diversity protection is challenging, complex and requires the rigor of experts from myriad fields of inquiry. Being part of a nonprofit organization such as this allows us to share information and to support one another’s efforts toward the mutual goals we hold.

My greatest contribution to CTEC is the multidisciplinary perspective I bring to my work. I am a social scientist who is greatly concerned about the fate of the natural world and the diverse human cultures inhabiting the planet. Conservation biology, anthropology and qualitative research methods all come into play as I strive to unite the common interests of craftspeople and conservationists.

Current Projects:

Jennifer is currently expanding on her dissertation work by conducting research with local crafts cooperatives and their links with regional conservation efforts. Additionally, she will be joining forces with other island conservationists traveling to Sulawesi in July of this year (2006) to examine an island to island relationship based on conservation efforts on behalf of the maleo (endangered bird species in Sulawesi), local forests and marine systems. Jennifer will lead an effort with residents from local villages in order to promote sustainable economic development in the region. She is Associate Faculty in the Graduate Programs in Education at Antioch University Seattle.

Education:

PhD in Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England (2005)
Dissertation Common Ground between Crafts Coops and Conservation: Protecting Natural Resources through Artisan Production

MA in Education, Antioch University Seattle (1998)
Thesis Transformative Group Learning in Intercultural, Environmental Contexts

BA in Liberal Arts, Antioch University Seattle (1995)
Bilingual-Bicultural Spanish and Special Education, University of Northern Colorado (1985-88)

Curriculum Development:

Graduate: Crafts Coops and Protected Areas, Economics of Coops, Tropical Conservation Biology, Tropical Protected Area Management, Ecological Constructs, Art and Native Ecology, Ecopsychology, Group Learning in Egypt, Thesis Advising, Professional Inquiry & Research, Special Needs in Classrooms

Undergraduate: Service Learning, Childhood and Ecology, Political Economy, Experiencing the Arts, Philosophy of Archetypes, Social Science Research Methods, Senior Liberal Arts Seminar

Community-Based: Conservation Biology (Rwanda), Creating with Nature (United States)

Teaching and Professional Experience:

Associate Faculty, Antioch University Seattle, Seattle, WA (2005-present)

Part-Time Faculty, Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, NH (Associate Faculty, Antioch University Seattle, Seattle, WA (Fall 2002, Fall 2004-Spring 2005)

TealArbor, Education and Research for Crafts Communities and the Environment (Est. 2001) Envisioned, established and implementing this organization dedicated to the protection of cultural and biological diversity through a global network of crafts cooperatives and conservationists.

TealArbor is an organization dedicated to the simultaneous protection of cultural and biological diversity. One of the goals of TealArbor is to create a global network of crafts cooperatives and conservationists. The purpose of a network for crafts cooperatives and conservationists is threefold: to build community, to foster collaboration among participants, and to educate. It operates on a local, regional, and international scale. Every participant shares responsibility for creating and maintaining the network. Participation is voluntary and based on the principles of equality, consensus, and open communication. Every participant is viewed as an expert with a valuable contribution for the network. Individuality and solidarity are jointly celebrated. Respect for cultural and biological diversity is the foundation of such a network.

Research:

Principal Investigator

TealArbor Sulawesi Economic Development Study: Crafts and Conservation, Sulawesi, Indonesia (2006)

Principal Investigator

TealArbor Pacific Northwest Crafts and Conservation, United States (2005-present)

Principal Investigator

TealArbor Crafts Coops and Conservation, United States (2003-04)

Principal Investigator

TealArbor Crafts Coop and Conservation Network Viability/Coop Evolution, Costa Rica (2003)

Principal Investigator

TealArbor Crafts Coop and Conservation Network Viability/Site Needs Assessment, Rwanda (2001)

Research Assistant, SERI

U.S. Dept. of Energy Low Dose Radiation and Risk Communication, United States (2000-01)

Research Assistant

Ganges River Dolphin Expedition Species Assessment and Community Attitudes, Nepal (1998)

Principal Investigator

Thesis Research Intercultural, Environmental Group Learning, Myanmar (1998)

Research Assistant and Expedition Assistant

Irrawaddy Dolphin Project Expedition #2, Species Assessment and Local Fishing Interactions, Myanmar (1998)

Principal Investigator

Expedition into the Dawn of Time, Group Learning Abroad, Egypt (1997)

Research Assistant

Irrawaddy Dolphin Project Principal Expedition, Species Assessment and Community Involvement, Myanmar (1996)

Publications:

Wilhoit, J. (2005). Cooperatives: A short history. Cultural Survival Quarterly, Fall 2005, pp. 31-33.

Wilhoit, J. & Cullen, T. (2005). By a thread: Benefits and challenges of being a fair trade crafter. Cultural Survival Quarterly, Fall 2005, pp. 35-38.

Wilhoit, J. (2005). Crafts coops as collaborators: Examples of the role of social scientists in identifying partners in conservation. Under review.

Professional Affiliations:

National Council for Geographic Education (2004-)
Association of American Geographers (2004)
Crafts Center (2003-); Aid to Artisans (2002-)
Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (2001-)
Cultural Survival (2000-)
Society for Applied Anthropology (2000-)
Society for Human Ecology (2000-)
The Orion Society (1998-2003)
Museum of Natural History (1997-)

Presentations:

Society for Applied Anthropology (2005)
Association of American Geographers (2005)
Society for Human Ecology (2005, 2002)
Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (2004, 2001);
Gallery Shop/Art Alliance (2004)
Rotary Club International (2002)
Women and Water Conference (2000)
Community Nature and Spirit Conference (2000, 1999)
Intergenerational Forum (1999)

Committees:

Diversity Scholarship Committee/Antioch University New England (2003-05)
Institutional Review Board/Antioch University New England (2000-05)
Diversity Committee/Antioch University New England (1999-2002)
Antioch University Seattle (1994-98)

Foreign Languages:

Spanish (Fluent)
Japanese (Conversational)