My main fields of research & teaching are global and transnational studies with an emphasis on human rights and narratives of citizenship. The interdisciplinary courses I teach concentrate on the basic concepts of globalization engaging current issues.  Specific case studies explore the impact of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sub-Saharan Africa, Geopolitics in the Middle East and Islam in Europe.

I have traveled widely and developed a passion for global learning and experiential education. While in Mongolia, I was intrigued by the unique interplay of Mongolian oral culture and songs. This interest has sparked my research with indigenous oral cultures and digital storytelling, in which I examine how stories affect people and create identities and cultures. A development leave allowed me to explore the role of the storyteller at the Celal Bayar University in Manisa, Turkey. Recent faculty development seminars led me to Senegal and Jordan and a trip to Ghana and Costa Rica with students led to work with several NGOs.

I am a faculty affiliate for Peace Studies, the Honors College, the Center for the Digital Globe (CDiG), the Council of International Initiatives (CII) and the College of A&S Study Abroad Scholarship (SAEL).

I direct the undergraduate certificate in Digital Global Studies which is affiliated with the Center for Digital Global Studies - see CDIG website.

For documents related to the CDIG certificate, please see the download in the sidebar.