Faculty Profile

Dorceta E. Taylor, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

dorceta.jpg
Office:

2576 Dana

Phone:
734-763-5327
Other Office:
4745 Haven Hall
Other Phone:
734-763-5517
E-mail:
dorceta@umich.edu
Links:
Dorceta E. Taylor Ph.D. [PDF]
Fields of Study:
Environmental Justice
Educational Background:

Ph.D. Environmental Sociology, 1991, Yale University (Joint doctorates from the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and the Department of Sociology)

M.A. Environmental Sociology, 1988, Yale University

M. Phil. Sociology, 1988, Yale University

M.F.S. Social Ecology, 1985, Yale University

My research interests include green jobs and other environmental labor market dynamics; social movement analysis; environmental justice; leisure and natural resource use; urban and rural poverty; and race, gender and ethnic relations. My current research includes and assessment of the green job sector.  Other recent researh activities have include four national studies of racial and gender diversity in the environmental field.  I have just completed a book on urban environmental history; I am in the process of completing companion books on (a) conservation history and (b) environmental justice history.  

Research Interests:

  • Green jobs 

  • Social movement analysis

  • Environmental justice

  • Leisure and natural-resource use

  • Poverty and urban issues

  • Environmental history and ideology

  • Social inequality

  • International development issues

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    Current/Recent Research:

  • Currently conducting an assessment of the green jobs sector in the U.S.  Examining green employers' workforce demands and the efficacy of green jobs training programs. 
  • Conducting on-going analysis of mainstream and environmental justice groups in the U.S.
  • Interested in gender and leadership issues in environmental groups in the U.S. and Britain.
  • Examining environmental ideology, activism and experiences in 19th and 20th century America.
  • I examine the role of race, class and gender in influencing environmental attitudes, perceptions, ideology, and activism.
  • I am interested in social movements, particularly how minority communities in the U.S. and Britain organize around environmental issues.
  • Currently studying the media and the framing of environmental justice issues.

    • Projects and Initiatives

    I am the Program Director for the Multicultural Environmental Leadership Development Initiative (MELDI) a project in SNRE. MELDI is aimed at providing resources that students and environmental professionals can use to help develop their careers and find out about jobs and funding.  MELDI's website also provides information on environmental justice research, organizations and events of interest in the field.  For more information visit the MELDI website at http://www.umich.edu/~meldi.

     

    Teaching Interests:

    I believe that each person has the capacity to learn and get excited about environmental issues. I think a thorough understanding of the past informs present thinking and actions. I believe that teaching that is built on a foundation of solid knowledge, rigor and freedom to push the boundaries and think beyond the ordinary produce the mosti exciting results. To this end, I employ a variety of proven traditional techniques in my teaching. However, I complement this with cutting-edge approaches to help students to become well grounded in the discipline but still be able to think creatively about issues.

    Current/Recent Teaching:

  • NRE335/CAAS322: Environmental Politics: Race, Class and Gender
  • NRE336/CAAS332: Environmental Inequality
  • CAAS 495: Gender, Development and Inequality
  • NRE/CAAS 477: Women and Environment
  • NRE 482: Environmental Justice: Theoretical Approaches
  • NRE396/596: History of Environmental Thought and Activism

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    Selected Publications:

  • Taylor, D.E. (2003)