Marygold Walsh-Dilley

Dr. Marygold Walsh-Dilley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of New Mexico. She holds a Ph.D. in Development Sociology from Cornell University. Her research bridges geography, sociology, and anthropology, focusing on political ecology, food systems, rural development, and Andean studies. Dr. Walsh-Dilley examines how rural communities negotiate global socio-ecological changes, particularly in the context of climate change, agrarian transformations, and food security.

Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, including qualitative methods to study vulnerability, resilience, and coloniality in Latin America. Notable projects include investigations into quinoa production in Bolivia, headwater-dependent systems, and food insecurity among university students. She co-founded the GeoAIR Lab, promoting applied interdisciplinary research in geography.

Key research themes include:

• Food sovereignty and global commodity chains
• Climate change adaptation in rural regions
• Intersection of modernity and colonialism in development
• Student basic needs insecurities

Her publications analyze resilience frameworks, transdisciplinary science, and the socio-ecological impacts of agrarian change. She collaborates with international teams on projects addressing cross-scale governance and ecosystem vulnerability.