Matthew Bender

Matthew Bender is a Professor of History in the Department of History at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. He has served on the faculty since 2006, progressing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and ultimately to full Professor. His leadership roles include Director of the Program in International Studies (2014-2019) and President of the Faculty Senate (2019-2023).

Dr. Bender's educational background features:

• Ph.D. in History from The Johns Hopkins University (2006)
• M.A. in History from The Johns Hopkins University (2003)
• M.A. in History from Washington University (2000)
• B.A. in History from Washington University (2000)

Professor Bender's research centers on African environmental history with special focus on East Africa. His work investigates water management systems, colonial legacies, and socio-political dimensions of natural resources in Tanzania, particularly the Kilimanjaro region. He examines how historical policies shaped contemporary water access, agricultural practices, and environmental knowledge systems through nuanced analysis of power dynamics between local communities and state institutions.

His scholarship bridges historical methodology with environmental studies and political science, revealing enduring patterns of resource governance. Recent projects extend this framework to urban contexts like Dar es Salaam while maintaining deep engagement with Tanzania's highland regions. This interdisciplinary approach connects colonial hydrology with modern sustainability challenges.

Bender's publication trajectory demonstrates sustained focus on East African water history since 2008, evolving from colonial irrigation studies to contemporary urban water governance. His seminal book Water Brings No Harm established foundational work on Kilimanjaro, while recent articles address Dar es Salaam's water infrastructure and free water policies. The research consistently links environmental change with political economy, showing how water access reflects broader power structures.

His scholarly contributions have earned significant recognition:

• Sabbatical leave from TCNJ (2023)
• Gitenstein-Hart Prize for excellence in teaching and scholarship (2016)
• Research Fellowship at Yale University's Program in Agrarian Studies (2013)
• David Boren Fellowship for international research (2003)
• Fulbright Hays Doctoral Fellowship for dissertation research (2003)

Professor Bender actively mentors undergraduate researchers through field projects like the Kilimanjaro glacier study published in Peer Review. His grant portfolio includes prestigious federal fellowships supporting doctoral research in Tanzania and postdoctoral work at Yale. Administrative service spans committee leadership in faculty governance, honors programs, and international studies curriculum development. He directs collaborative research initiatives involving students in oral history projects and environmental fieldwork, fostering interdisciplinary teams across history, geography, and environmental science.

His current research examines water commodification under colonialism while expanding into urban resilience studies. Fieldwork continues in Tanzania through partnerships with local institutions, maintaining his decades-long engagement with East African environmental history.