A Look Back…

Here is a look at my professional work.  Happy to share and collaborate with others interested in environmental sociology!

 

 

 

Current Position

2017-Current

Professor, Sociology

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice

Director, Environmental Studies Canisius College

 

Positions Held

2010- 2017

Associate Professor, Sociology,

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice

Director, Environmental Studies

Canisius College

 

2003-2010

Assistant Professor, Sociology

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice

Canisius College

 

Education

 Ph.D. February 2004: University of Buffalo; Sociology

Dissertation: “Framing the Environment: Citizen Action in Response to Community Contamination.”

MA, 1997:  University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Sociology

Concentration:  Environmental Sociology

BA, 1995:  State University of New York College at Geneseo; Sociology

Minors:  Environmental Studies; English Literature

Thesis Topic

Dissertation: “Framing the Environment: Citizen Action in Response to Community Contamination.” Case study involving South Buffalo community.  Field research methods, specifically in-depth interviewing and participant observation, are employed in a study of local neighborhood resistance surrounding the identification of contaminated land on residential property.

Masters Thesis: “Community Based Risk Perceptions: Competing Frames at Love Canal, New York.”  Analysis of competing frames of disaster and resettlement at Love Canal.  Qualitative study involving analysis of documents; focusing on local newspaper articles, state government publications, and community activist literature.

Fields of Interest

Environmental Sociology, Social Movements, Community, Qualitative Research Methods, Medical Sociology, Social Problems, Gender

Awards and Honors

2017: Dr. I. Joan Lorch Award For Women and Gender Studies

2014-2016: Canisius College Representative for AJCU Ignatian Colleagues Program

2013: National Science Foundation INSPIRE award: $976,000. Project title: Advancing Groundwater Restoration Through Analysis: What Practitioners and Stakeholders Care About and Why It Matters

2011: Western New York Service Learning Coalition, Grant Awarded: $1500.00 for Photovoice community based participatory research support.

2010-2012: Elected Chair, Environment and Technology Division, Society for the Study of Social Problems.

 2010-2015: Elected to serve on Board of Directors for the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York. 2010 Board Secretary; 2011, Treasurer; 2012, Vice President2013, President, 2014, 2015.

2009: November. Article of the Year, Sociological Spectrum, Award given to honor the most outstanding article published during the year.

 2009: Summer 2010, Board of Directors, Western New York Peace Center.

 2009: William H. Fitzpatrick Lecture Series, “Our Environmental Destiny.” Provided introduction for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

2008: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Justice Grant, $43,145

 2008: Dean’s Summer Stipend for Ongoing Research, $3000.00     

 2007: Accepted to Dean’s Grant Proposal Mentoring Program, $1000.00

 2006: Accepted to Chautauqua Institute Short Courses for College Professors, New York City, June.        

 2004: Dean’s Summer Stipend for Ongoing Research, $3000.00

2004: Center For Teaching Excellence, Teaching Innovation Grant

2002: Nominee, Best Published Paper Award, Sociological Spectrum

2002-2004: Elected Chair, Environment and Technology Division, Society for the Study of Social Problems

2002: First Place for Platform Presentation, Environment and Society Institute, Environmental Sciences Colloquium, University at Buffalo

2002: Environment and Society Institute, Lester W. Milbrath Fellow, University at Buffalo

2002: Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, Graduate Programs

2001-2003: Elected Board of Directors, Society for the Study of Social Problems

2001: Graduate Student Teaching Award, University at Buffalo, Department of Sociology

2000-2002: Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University at Buffalo, Social Science Interdisciplinary Degree Program

1999-2001: Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Millard Fillmore College,

University at Buffalo

1999: Woman’s History Month, Woman of High Achievements Award;

Recognized by Buffalo State College Student Organizations

1998-1999: Graduate Research Assistantship, Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth, University at Buffalo

1996-1997: Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Department of Sociology,

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

1995: Outstanding Service and Leadership Award; SUNY Geneseo

1995: Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities

Research and Applied Experience

2013: National Science Foundation, INSPIRE program, Three-year grant funding to explore values and decision making processes in groundwater remediation practices. Collaboration with University at Buffalo professors.

2012: USEPA CARE Grant: Community Action for a Renewed Environment. Awarded to the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York. Led community listening sessions and photovoice components of grant award through community based research principles.

2011: Photovoice data collection, “Our Community, Our Health,” participatory action model analyzing photographic evidence of asthma and quality of life issues surrounding Peace Bridge corridor, Buffalo, NY.

2010- Current:  Field research, including in-depth interviews and participant observation with Clean Air Coalition of WNY regarding oral history narratives of perceptions of air quality in Tonawanda, NY.

2010-2013: USEPA, with Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. Contractor on grant funded project: Enhancing Fish Consumption Advisories.  Responsible for training and implementation of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, as well as analysis of data. Funded contract by the US Environmental Protection Agency, through Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Grant “Safe Waterways, Safe Fisheries,” $250,000. Served as the consultant this project as we developed the survey, provided training for interviewers, developed a framework for inclusion of non-English speaking participants, especially those from the Burmese refugee community, and began data analysis during the Fall 2011. Survey results address fish advisory effectiveness and cultural implications among anglers in Western New York.

2008-2012: $43,145 Grant Award, Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant For Communities Exposed to Multiple Environmental Harms and Risks in New York State. Three-year research based needs assessment of People’s Park.   Working in collaboration with People’s Park Steering committee on this multi-phase community development.  Awarded Fall 2008.

2005- 2012: Field research involving local community parks initiative. Following the development of People’s Park, Buffalo NY.  Analysis of grassroots community movement in the transformation of unused urban space to neighborhood park space.

2003-Current: Ongoing data collection and research on environmental community social movement organizations in Buffalo and Western New York.  Specifically focused on organizational success through local coalition building and leadership development.

1999-2003: Field research project for collection and analysis of dissertation data.  Field work and interviews were conducted in a local Western New York community.  Data collection focused on participant observation and in-depth interviews.  Other data collection techniques included historical archival research and document analysis.

1999-2000: Assistant, University at Buffalo, Environment and Society Institute.  Responsible for upkeep of the student environmental list serve.  Also responsible for internet based environmental research.

1998-1999: Graduate Research Assistantship, University at Buffalo, Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth.  Team member of the State of the Region Project; responsible for task forces on health and the environment.  Responsible for facilitating, gathering data sources, and implementing interdisciplinary indicator based study on assessment of the eight county Western New York region.

1998: Organizer, Citizen Action of New York. Responsible for grassroots organizing of local community surrounding issues of health and occupational safety, lead poisoning, recycling, and other social and environmental justice issues affecting the Western New York community.

1997-1998: Project coordinator, The Salvation Army Sponsored Family Program.  Responsible for organization and implementation of yearly seasonal assistance program.  Direct contact with families in need of emergency holiday assistance.  Coordinated community sponsors to meet needs of families.  Also developed a recycling education program for the After School and Community Center Programs.

1995, Fall: Research Assistant with the Social Science Research Institute, Knoxville, Tennessee.  Interviewer for social science contracted research surveys.  Use of Ci3/CATI computerized telephone interviewing system.

1995, Spring: Internship with Livingston County, New York Government Center, Department of Solid Waste.  Devised and implemented a recycling education program throughout Livingston County Elementary School System.  Focused on the importance of community environmental awareness.

Representative Publications

Robinson, Erin 2016. “Sharing Stories: The Role of Personal Narratives in Community Mobilization.” Humanity and Society, Volume 40(4).

Robinson, Erin. 2012. Community Mobilization for Environmental Problems: How a Grassroots Organization Forms and Works. Cambria Press: UK. December 31 Publication date.

Robinson, Erin. 2010. “Environmental Issues,” 21^st Century Anthropology, pp.977-986. H. James Birx, Editor. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Robinson, Erin. 2009. “Mobilizing Voices: A Discussion of Leadership In An Environmental Contaminated Community.” Qualitative Sociology Review, Volume V:1 (70-97).

 Robinson, Erin. 2009. “Competing Frames of Environmental Contamination: Influences on Grassroots Community Mobilization.” Sociological Spectrum. Volume 29 (3-27).

Robinson, Erin. 2008.  “Global Warming,” Encyclopedia of Time, H. James Birx, Editor. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Robinson, Erin. 2008. “Lewis Carroll” Encyclopedia of Time, H. James Birx, Editor. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Robinson, Erin. 2005. “Research Methods” Encyclopedia of Anthropology, H. James Birx, Editor.  Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage.

Robinson, Erin. 2005. “Ethnography” Encyclopedia of Anthropology, H. James Birx, Editor.  Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage.

Robinson, Erin. 2005. “Collective Behavior” Encyclopedia of Anthropology, H. James Birx, Editor.  Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage.

Robinson, Erin. 2005. “Gaia Hypothesis” Encyclopedia of Anthropology, H. James Birx, Editor.  Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage.

Robinson, Erin. 2005. “Environment” Encyclopedia of Anthropology, H. James Birx, Editor.  Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage.

Robinson, Erin, ed. 2004. Social Problems Forum: Convergences and Divergences: Points of View on Social Problems. Summer 35:2.  Contributor and Editor to special feature.

Robinson, Erin E. 2002.  “Community Frame Analysis in Love Canal:  Understanding Messages in a Contaminated Community.” Sociological Spectrum. Volume 22:2. (139-169).

Book Review:  Kultez, Valerie. 1997. The Tainted Desert. New York: Routledge. Organization and Environment. 13 (2), June 2000.

Foster, K. Boyer, B. Robinson, E., Kuligowski, L., Teirney, P. Buckely, M. 1999. “State of the Region Report: Performance Indicators for the 21^st Century.” University of Buffalo, Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth, Buffalo, NY.

Works in Progress/ Under Review

Robinson, Erin. “Creating People’s Park: Documenting the Growth of a Community Garden.”  Under review Human Ecology Review.

Presentations

 

2017. “Integrating Values, Rethinking Perspectives: Interdisciplinarity and the Role of Stakeholders in Groundwater Restoration.” College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Colloquia Series. Canisius College, Buffalo, NY.

 

 

2017. “Environmental Issues and Social Justice: Paths to Citizen Engagement and Action in Western New York.” Community Dialogue Series, Aurora Town Public Library, East Aurora, NY.

 

2017. “Fostering Community Empowerment through Social Justice and Environmental Narratives.” Buffalo Humanities Festival. Buffalo State College, Buffalo NY.

 

2016. “Environmental Sociology and the Natural Sciences: Navigating Interdisciplinary Fields in the Field and in Grant Work.” Society for the Study of Social Problems Seattle, WA.

 

 

2016. “Integrating Perspectives: Rethinking the Role of Stakeholder Input in Groundwater Restoration from an Interdisciplinary Perspective.”

Society for Human Ecology, Santa Ana, CA.

 

2015. “Stories for Empowerment: Giving Voice to Environmental Justice Through Community Based Research,” Erin E. Robinson (Presenter), Society for the Study of Social Problems, Chicago, IL.

 

2015. “Sharing Stories: The Role of Health Narratives in Community Mobilization.” Social Science-Environmental Health Interdisciplinary Collaborations Conference. (Poster Session) Northeastern University, Boston, MA.

 

2015. “Telling Stories: The Role of Science Narratives as Tools for Social Change.” Citizen Science Association: A Community of Practice for the Field of Pubic Participation, San Jose, CA. Juried Acceptance- not presented.

 

2014. “Persistence and Change in Environmental Issues: 40 Years of Persistence and Change in Environmental Issues: 40 Years of the Environment and Technology.” Society for the Study of Social Problems, San Francisco.

 

2012. “Engaging Community Partners through Science and the Construction of Environmental Problems.” Invited Lecture. University of Rochester, School of Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Joint Lecture Series, March.

 

2011. “Environmental Justice and Community Based Research: Constructing Scientific Knowledge with the Grassroots.” Presentation for Canisius College, College of Arts and Sciences, Dean’s Colloquium Series, November.

 

2011. “Engaging Scholars and Community Partners.” Presentation for Partnership for the Public Good, Buffalo Area Red Cross, April.

 

2010. “Creating People’s Park: Redefining Urban Space Through Community Based Research.” Platform presentation, Buffalo Poverty Workshop, Merriweather Library, February.

 

2009. “Assessing Community Need: Students as Researchers and Engagement in the Community Garden Movement.” Poster Presentation, Western New York Service Learning Coalition Conference, Medaille College, Buffalo, New York.

 

2009. “Assessing Community Need: Community Development Through Gardening Initiatives in Buffalo, New York.” New York State Sociological Association, Rochester, NY.

 

2009. “Creating, Assessing, and Understanding Community in Buffalo, New York.” Poster Presentation, Daemen College Environmental Sustainability Conference, Amherst, NY.

 

2008. “Investigating Community Needs: People’s Park, Sustainability, and Community Involvement.” Society for the Study of Social Problems, Boston.

 

2007. “Mobilizing Voices: A Discussion of Leadership and Dissent in Community Organizing .” Eastern Sociological Society Meetings, Philadelphia, March. Submitted and read by presider (unable to given presentation in person due to weather event).

 

2006. “Local Environmental Struggles and Breast Cancer Incidence.” Regional

Cancer and Environment Forum, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Cornell

University Sprecher Institute for Comparative Cancer Research, Program on

Breast Cancer and Environment Risk Factors, June.

 

2005. “Challenging Community: Grassroots Environmentalism in Western New York.” Dean’s Colloquium For the Arts and Sciences, Canisius College, October.

 

2005. “Creating People’s Park: Documenting the Growth of a Community Garden,” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Philadelphia, August.

 

2004. “Teaching Sociology to Non-Traditional Students,” Teaching Workshop, Annual Meeting of American Sociological Association, August.

 

2004. “Questioning Science: Uncertainty and Action in a Contaminated

Community,” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Sociological Association, February.

 

2003. “Mobilizing Voices: A Discussion of Leadership in Hickory Woods,

NY,” Presented at the University at Buffalo, Sociology Graduate Student Association Conference, Voices and Visions: Exploring the Social World, April.

 

2002. “Mobilization and Environmental Grassroots Organizations.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Chicago, August.

 

2002. “Understanding Mobilization: Grassroots Organizing in an Environmentally Contaminated Community.” Presented at the Environment and Society Institute, Environmental Sciences Colloquium, University at Buffalo, April.

 

2002. “Conflict and Consensus: Mobilization in an Environmentally Contaminated Community.” Presented at the University at Buffalo Department of Sociology, Colloquium Series, February.

 

2000. “Author Meets Critics: The Struggle for Water by Wendy Espeland”

Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems,

Washington, D.C., August.

 

2000. “Here We Go Again, Framing the Environment: An Comparative Look at Two Western New York Communities.” Presented at the University at Buffalo, Department of Sociology Conference, March.

 

2000. “Framing Environmental Problems: Local Media Coverage at Love

Canal, NY.” Presented at the annual meeting of the Midwest Sociological Society, Chicago, Illinois, April.

 

2000. “Emerging Discourses: Ecofeminism as Action and Theory.” Presented

at the annual meetings of the Eastern Sociological Society, Baltimore, Maryland, March.

 

1999. “Perception and Proximity: The Risk of Living Near a Hazardous

Waste Site.” Presented at the annual meeting for the Society for the Study of Social Problems. Chicago, Illinois, August.

 

1999. “Crossing Disciplinary Boundaries to Understand Framing:

Theoretical Insights and Synthesis.”  with Naomi Krogman, University of

Alberta. Presented at the annual meetings of the Rural Sociological Society,

Chicago, Illinois, August.

 

1999. “From Perception to Action: Mobilization and Risk Perception at Love

Canal, NY” Presented at University at Buffalo, Department of Sociology Conference, March.

 

1999. “Social Control in Social Movement Activity: Barriers to Social Justice.”

Paper presented (by presider) for the annual meetings of the Eastern Sociological Society . Boston, Massachusetts, March.

 

1998. “Frame Analysis and the Social Construction of Disaster: Competing

Frames at Love Canal, New York.” Paper presented (by presider) for the annual meetings of the Society for the Study of Social Problems.  San Francisco, California, August.

 

1998. Council For International Visitors in conjunction with Erie County

Legislature, sponsored international environmental policy makers, academics, and representatives from Non Government Organizations. Asked to speak on a panel presentation concerning Environmental Justice in Buffalo, New York. July.

 

1997. “Competing Frames at Love Canal: An Environmental Justice

Perspective.” Paper presented at the annual meetings of the Society for the Study of Social Problems.  Toronto, Ontario, August.

 

 

 

1997. “Trespassing on the Way to Resettlement: The Revitalization of

the Love Canal Community.”  Paper presented at the annual meetings of the Southern Sociological Society.  New Orleans, Louisiana, April.

 

1996. “Gender Differences in Campus Environmental Organizations:

SPEAKING for the Environment.”  Paper presented at the annual meetings of the Southern Sociological Society.  Richmond, Virginia, April.

 

 

 

Courses Taught

           

Environmental Sociology                                Visual Sociology

            Social Research Methods                                Qualitative Methods

Social Movements and Social Change Theories of Sociology

Introduction to Sociology                                Social Problems

            Sociology of Gender                                       Cultural Diversity

History of Women’s Studies                           Individual and Society

Introduction to Mass Culture

 

Professional Affiliations

 

American Sociological Association

Society for the Study of Social Problems

Eastern Sociological Society

International Visual Sociology Association

Sociologists Without Borders

 

 

Departmental and College Activities 

 

2017. Represented Canisius College at Loyola University Climate Change and Social Justice Conference, March 17-19, 2017.

           

2017. Sustainability Initiative Advisory Board, Canisius College.

 

            2016-Present. Pre-Med Advisory Board.

 

2016. Governance Senate Sub Committee 2015-Present. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, IACUC.

 

            2015- Present. GriffCenter Advisory Committee.

 

2015 Kairos LII, October 23-25, 2015.

 

2014- 2016. Chair, Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Department      

 

2014- 2016 Ignatian Colleagues Program      

 

2013-2014 Educational Policy Committee, Governance Senate Sub Committee

 

2013- Present. Faculty Advisor, Project Conservation

 

2013 Summer Research Grant Review Committee

 

2012-Present. Service Learning Advisory Committee

 

2012- Service Immersion Trip- led students to Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, January 2-15.

 

2012- Committee Member: Hire for Mission

 

2012- Committee Member Online Learning Task Force: Student Support Committee

 

2010-Present. Director, Environmental Studies Program.

 

2010. Developed proposal for Environmental Studies, BA in collaboration with Dr. Barbara Porter and Dr. Nancy Rourke. Took lead on development of curriculum and research. Developed application for New York State approval Spring 2010.  Accepted by Academic Program Board, January 2010, program implemented Fall 2010.  Responsible for developing material for program advertisement and recruitment, as well as assessment.    

 

2009-2012. Elected to College Academic Program Board, responsible for review of academic programming, including new program acceptance and review.           

 

2009. Invited to Represent Canisius College at the Jesuit Colleges and Universities Faith and Reason Conference, Fordham University, New York City. June.

 

2009. Crossroads Radio Show. Interviewed by Patrick Lynch, SJ. regarding environmental issues and justice initiatives in Buffalo, New York. Aired June 7, 2009 on WJYE fm.

           

2009. Invited discussant at Buffalo State College Department of Sociology awards banquet roundtable of sociology student papers.

 

2008-Fall 2010. Justice in Action Working Group, Canisius College.  Charged with developing ways to engage campus activities and programming with justice based activities and idea.

 

2008. Developed proposal for Peace and Justice Certificate/Minor Program at Canisius College in collaboration with Dr. Harvey Pines, Fr. Patrick Lynch, and Ms. Kelli Gardner. Involved researching and creating justification for this program to be implemented at Canisius College.  Accepted by Academic Program Board, April 2009, to be implemented, Fall 2009.

 

2008. Elected to Committee on Status of Women.

 

2007. Fall, Canisius College Campus Ministry Kairos XXII Retreat Leader.

 

2007. Fall. Participated in working group for proposal ideas for The Alfred P. Sloan Awards For Faculty Career Flexibility Canisius College Accelerator Plan Round II, October 1, 2007 Proposal submitted by Dr. Jerry Neuner.   Canisius was awarded grant in the amount of $200,000.00.

 

2007,  IGNITE, Jesuit Conference Loyola Chicago. Faculty Representative for conference to discuss mission and identity issues as they relate to gender and sexuality.

           

            2007, Attended Canisius College: Always Our Children Retreat.      

 

2006, Mission and Identity Working Group, Canisius College.

 

2006-2013, Faculty Advisor, Unity: Canisius College Gay Straight Alliance.

 

2004-2013, Faculty Advisor for incoming Freshmen

 

2003- Present, Faculty Advisor/Liaison, Canisius College Student Environmental Organization, SPEAC, Students Promoting Environmental Awareness at Canisius College, now Project Conservation.

 

 

Other Professional Activities

 

2017. Organizer, Discussant, Critical Dialogue: Resistance Narratives and Scholar Activism. Society for the Study of Social Problems, Montreal, Quebec Canada.

2018. Member, Excellence in Teaching Award Committee, Environment and Technology Section of American Sociological Association.

 

2015. Judge, Alpha Sigma Nu, Jesuit Honor Society Annual Book Award.

 

2015, Organizer, Discussant, Climate Change and Natural Resources.

Society for the Study of Social Problems, Chicago

 

2015, Organizer, Discussant, Roundtable: Environmental Perception. American Sociological Association, Chicago

 

2014, Organizer, Discussant, Person-Environment Interaction: The Role of Innovative Technology. Society for the Study of Social Problems, San Francisco.

           

2013. Organizer, Society for the Study of Social Problems, New York City.

 

2013-2016, Peer Reviewer for Social Science; Ethics in Science; Environmental Politics; Sociological Forum.

 

2012. Organizer, Discussant. Society for the Study of Social Problems, Denver.

 

2011. Organizer, Presider, Discussant. Globalization and Environmental Justice. Society for the Study of Social Problems, Las Vegas.

 

2011. Organizer, Presider, Discussant. Teaching Environmental Sociology: Sharing Techniques and Perspective. Society for the Study of Social Problems, Las Vegas.

 

2010- Present, Reviewer, Mobilization: an International Journal of Social Movements.  Peer reviewer in double blind process for submitted manuscripts for publication.   

           

2010. Reviewer for Conflict Social Action, and Social Change, Graduate Student Paper Competition, Society for the Study of Social Problems.

 

2010. Reviewer Oklahoma State Water Authority grant program.

 

2010. Invited Collaborator, GLISTEN (Great Lakes Innovative Stewardship Through Education Network). Partnered with Daemen College, University at Buffalo, Erie County Community College to secure grant funds in order to ensure environmental service learning opportunities for students in related curriculum and classes.

 

2010. Organizer, Presider, Discussant, Social Justice, the Environment, and Health, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Atlanta.

 

2010. Meeting Mentor, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Atlanta, August.

 

2009. Attended Brownfields USA Conference on Environmental Justice and Land Use, New Orleans, LA, November.

 

2009. Organizer, Presider, Discussant, The Environment, Health, and Justice. Society for the Study of Social Problems, San Francisco.

 

2009. Invited as guest lecturer for Dr. Harvey Pines. Spoke in Social Psychology course for on symbolic interaction and community meaning regarding my research on environmental transformation.

 

2008. Attended, Lilly International Teaching Conference, Miami University of Ohio, November.

 

2008. Attended, Service Learning Conference, Buffalo State College, October.

 

2008- Present, Reviewer, Sociological Spectrum.  Asked to review six manuscripts in blind peer review process for submission to refereed journal.

 

2008,  Presider, , Community, Sustainability and the Urban Environment: Part Two. Society for the Study of Social Problems, Boston.

 

2008. Organizer , Presider, and Discussant, Issues in Environmental Justice . Society for the Study of Social Problems, Boston.

 

2007. Organizer, Presider, Discussant, Reclaiming Community: Building, Promoting, and Protecting Space and Place. Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meeting, New York City, NY.

 

2006. Organizer, Presider, Discussant, Building Just, Diverse, and Democratic Communities: Issues in Environment and Technology, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.

 

2006. Organizer, Presider, Discussant, Visual Representations of Inequality: Mapping the Landscape, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.

 

2005. Discussant, Shifting Aspects of Grassroots Environmental Participation: Current Conditions and Future Implications of Environment and Technology, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meeting, Philadelphia

 

2005. Organizer, Presider, Discussant, Through the Lens: Visualizing Environmental Change, Environment and Technology Session, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meeting, Philadelphia.

 

2004. Attended, International Visual Sociology Association Conference, San Francisco Art Institute, August.

 

2002-Present, Newsletter Editor, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Environment and Technology Division

 

2002-2005. Division Chairperson, Environment and Technology Division, Society for the Study of Social Problems.

 

2002. Organizer, Discussant, Environmental Problems in Urban Areas, Joint Session with Community Research and Development and Environment and Technology, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meeting, Chicago.

           

2001. Invited Speaker Fall Social Sciences Lecture Series, Villa Maria College of Buffalo, “Bringing the Social to Environmental Science.”

 

2001-2003. Board Member- Graduate Student Representative, Society for the Study of Social Problems.

 

2001. Organizer, Discussant, Social Action Session, Midwest Sociological Society, Annual Meeting, St. Louis.

 

2000. Presider, Discussant, Environment and Technology Roundtable, American Sociological Association, Annual Meeting, August, Washington D.C.

 

2000. Co-Presider and Discussant, Environment and Technology Division, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meetings, August, Washington D.C.

 

2000. Reviewer, Graduate Student Paper Competition, Environment and Technology Division, Society for the Study of Social Problems.

 

1999-2001. Student Assistant, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meetings.

 

1999. Sociology Graduate Student Association Conference Planning Committee.

 

1999-2000. Sociology Faculty Student Committee, Doctorate Student Representative.

 

1999-2000. Sociology Graduate Student Association, Grievance Committee Representative.

 

1999. College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Grievance Committee Representative.

 

1998-1999. Sierra Club Executive Committee, Niagara Group, Atlantic Chapter.

 

 

 

Community Volunteer Activity

2010- Present. Clean Air Coalition of Western New York- Community Based Researcher 2010-2014, Board member (served as Secretary [2011], Treasurer [2012], Vice- President [2013], President [2014])

 

2006-2010. People’s Park Organizer and Community Development

 

2005 to 2007. Science Firsthand Volunteer.  Involved with mentoring youth and teaching principles of scientific investigation and observation as an after school program.

 

2005 to 2009.  Volunteer for Annual Hellenic Festival in Buffalo.    

 

2004 to Present. United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, Investment Volunteer.  Involved with assessing community need and measuring needs based funding outcomes with Western New York not-for-profit agencies.

 

2004 to Present. Western New York Earth Day Committee volunteer. Involved with promoting environmental awareness across Western New York through organizing year round activities (lectures, workshops, publicity events, etc).

 

1991-Present.  Volunteer, The Salvation Army.  Primarily involved with Christmas community giving programs.

 

• Council for International Visitors, Buffalo, NY. Participated in

Round table discussions with international visitors about cross cultural environmental programs.  Also responsible for escorting visitors to environmental sites throughout Erie and Niagara counties.

 

1997-1998.  Citizen Action of New York.  Involved with community based education program: lead poisoning education, living wage campaign, environmental awareness.