My general research interests align with the fields of Anthropology of Development, Environmental Anthropology and critical African Studies. This includes a focus on decolonizing development, sustainability, environmental governance, neoliberal conservation, postcolonialism and coloniality. More specifically, I am interested in understanding how various development interventions, including conservation, intersect with customary livelihoods and pathways. My ongoing research in East Africa focuses on the impacts of protected areas (conservation) and global tourism on rural communities, especially indigenous pastoralists. My studies focus on power and how it operates vis-脿-vis global encounters and development.
On a pedagogical level, my recent focus has been on decolonial and anti-racist pedagogies, combined with efforts to make our classroom and campus spaces more inclusive. Research associated with my Senior Teaching Qualification (SKO) focused on transformative education, social justice and anti-racist pedagogies. Likewise, research for my Honors teaching certification focused on community-engaged learning, the importance of critical race theory in international experiential learning programs, the idea of 鈥榮low pedagogy鈥� and, subsequently, the role of 鈥榬eflective journaling鈥� in our classrooms. As Director of UCU's East Africa program I am particular interested in how all of the above can enrich international community engaged learning (I-CEL) initiatives.
In line with my pedagogical interests and approaches, I am the co-Chair of UCU's Diversity Committee, which aims to build more diverse and inclusive spaces in our classrooms and across campus. I am spearheading efforts to foster 鈥榖ravery鈥� and 鈥榖rave spaces鈥� at UCU.