Peter Leigh Taylor

Peter Leigh Taylor is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Colorado State University. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from Cornell University and a B.A. from Trinity University. His research focuses on natural resource and environmental sociology, with specialization in community-based forest management and water governance. Current projects address agricultural water issues in the Colorado River Basin and transboundary environmental cooperation.

Professor Taylor teaches courses including Soc 301 (Development of Social Thought), Soc 502 (Masters of Sociological Thought), and Soc 323 (Sociology of Environmental Governance). His work bridges sociological theory with applied research in environmental policy and international development.

Key research themes include collaborative institutions for water management, environmental justice, and the intersection of neoliberalism with ecological sustainability. He has conducted fieldwork in Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, and Costa Rica, examining how local communities navigate complex governance challenges in natural resource management.