I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Environmental Studies & Sciences Program at Rhodes College.
My research interests include human-environment geography, political ecology, critical development studies, and feminist mixed-methods. My current work focuses on rethinking development and environmental transformation in the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan.
I am a co-founder of the Seeing Beyond Catastrophe project which seeks to re-frame and creatively re-imagine alternative futures in the Aral Sea region.
I received my PhD from the Department of Geography at the University of Oregon. Prior to beginning my PhD, I was a research associate at the Water Institute at UNC conducting applied research on water, sanitation and hygiene.
I have also worked as a theater stage manager and technical director in Turkey and Scotland, English as a Second Language teacher in Turkey, and biochemistry lab assistant.
Education
PhD, Geography, University of Oregon
MPH, Epidemiology & International Health, University of Michigan
MA, Middle Eastern and North African Studies, University of Michigan
BA, Public Policy, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Contact
Email: shieldsk [at] rhodes [dot] edu
Kate F. Shields 