معرفی
Dr. Myron Floyd is Dean of the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University, where he also holds a professorship in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. He has been a faculty member since 2005 and assumed leadership roles including department head (2014) and dean, significantly expanding the department's research and extension capacity in areas such as environmental justice, geospatial analytics, and conservation behavior.
His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Recreation and Resources Development from Texas A&M University, an M.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, and another M.S. in Recreation and Park Administration from Clemson University, along with a B.S. in Recreation and Park Administration from the same institution.
Dr. Floyd's research centers on understanding racial and ethnic disparities in outdoor recreation, with a strong emphasis on how public parks and green spaces can reduce health disparities in low-income communities of color. His work bridges leisure studies, public health, and urban planning, exploring the role of the built environment in promoting physical activity. He has examined topics such as African American connections to national parks, gender and tourism in Latin America, and the use of technology to track children's park-based activity.
His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on equity, justice, and inclusion in recreation, with studies appearing in journals such as Journal of Leisure Research, Landscape and Urban Planning, and Social & Cultural Geography. Themes across his work include cultural identity in nature, environmental equity, and the social determinants of health.
- Elected Fellow, Academy of Leisure Sciences (2005)
- Elected Member, American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (2019)
- Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt Award, National Recreation and Park Association (2008)
- Outstanding Alumni, Clemson University (2014)
- Allen V. Sapora Research Award, University of Illinois (2004)
Dr. Floyd has led and collaborated on numerous major research grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, USDA Forest Service, CDC, National Park Service, and others. His projects often involve multidisciplinary teams and community partnerships, focusing on translating research into policy and practice. He has advised graduate students and led initiatives such as the Physical Activity Research Center and Park Rx programs, which connect healthcare providers with parks for preventive care. He has also played national advisory roles, including on the Forestry Research Advisory Council and the NC Institute of Medicine’s Healthy NC 2030 Taskforce.
He leads research teams and collaborates with institutions such as Recreation Resources Service and the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Association, promoting evidence-based practices in park management and public health.
