Daniela Soleri

Daniela Soleri is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on human management of crop plant diversity through local knowledge systems, particularly in response to climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequity. She investigates agricultural practices in underrepresented communities globally and promotes equitable scientist-practitioner partnerships.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Arid Land Resources-Ethnoecology with a minor in Plant Sciences from the University of Arizona

Research interests span:

• Food crop diversity and traditional knowledge systems
• Community-based participatory research methodologies
• Climate adaptation in small-scale agriculture
• Socio-ecological dimensions of seed systems
• Ethnoecological approaches to food gardens
• Cultural preservation through agricultural practices

Her publications consistently explore themes of agricultural biodiversity, traditional food systems, and community resilience. Recent work examines the intersection of migration, cultural identity, and foodways; conservation strategies in smallholder agriculture; and sustainable gardening in the Anthropocene era.

Professional engagement includes membership in the Citizen Science Association where she co-founded and co-chaired the Integrity, Diversity and Equity Working Group. She teaches ENV S 193CS: Peoples Science: An introduction to citizen and community science.