معرفی
Benjamin Gardner is an Associate Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences at the University of Washington Bothell. He holds affiliations as Chair of the African Studies Program at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at UW Seattle. His academic background includes a PhD in Geography from UC Berkeley (2007), an M.E.S. from Yale University, and a B.A. in Anthropology from Connecticut College.
Research Interests: Gardner’s work focuses on the intersections of cultural politics, environmental conservation, and development. He examines how global phenomena like ecotourism, land rights, and colonial legacies manifest locally, particularly in Tanzania. His research emphasizes ethnographic methods and transnational perspectives to analyze power dynamics in conservation policies and community activism.
Teaching & Awards: A recipient of the UW Bothell Distinguished Teaching Award (2014) and Undergraduate Research Mentor Award (2017), Gardner prioritizes student-centered pedagogy. He teaches courses on globalization, cultural studies, and African history, blending theoretical rigor with practical research skills. Recent courses include BIS 480 Critical Perspectives on Ecotourism in Tanzania and BCULST 593 Environmental Politics.
Public Engagement: Gardner collaborates with institutions like the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, delivering talks on topics such as ecotourism ethics and conservation politics. His book Selling the Serengeti critiques colonial narratives in conservation and highlights Maasai community struggles over land rights.
Collaborative Projects: Current initiatives include Pedagogies of Reciprocity, examining study abroad programs’ political economies, and research on social media’s role in shaping conservation discourse in Tanzania. He also contributes to interdisciplinary efforts like the Center for Environmental Politics at UW Seattle.
