David A. Sonnenfeld, Ph.D.
Dept. of Environmental Studies
State University of New York
College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Thanks for your interest in graduate studies at ESF and in my own work. I anticipate taking on one or two new graduate students each autumn. If you think you might like to join my research group, please read the following closely. After giving it some serious thought, if you remain interested I'd welcome your e-mail inquiry (see below).
My research program is described in detail on the Research pages of my website. At the core of my research interests are processes, contexts and challenges of environmental transformation and governance, especially in rapidly industrializing nations, under conditions of accelerated globalization, and in a time of various systemic uncertainties (see my Recent Publications). While much of my work has been and will likely continue to be in relation to East Asia, broadly defined, I am also interested in comparative studies in northern Europe, and potentially in Africa and Latin America, as well. Doctoral students under my supervision now are working on topics related to environmental policy and governance in the Philippines, China, and India, respectively; current masters student research includes both domestic and international topics. (For a listing of graduate students under my supervision, scroll down on my official webpage.)
I am presently primary supervisor of four doctoral students in the Environmental and Natural Resources Policy program, part of ESF's interdepartmental Graduate Program in Environmental Science. The ENRP program integrates social and biophysical sciences and policy studies; students develop competency in all three areas. Dissertation research projects typically include biophysical as well as social science and policy components. Together, ESF and nearby institutions (Syracuse University; SUNY Upstate Medical University; Cornell University) have terrific resources to support interdisciplinary, environmental research. Students who do best in this Ph.D. program will have a strong background in both social and biophysical sciences. Ph.D.'s from this program go on to both academic and advanced professional practice positions.
At the master's level, I work primarily with students in ESF's interdisciplinary M.S. in Environmental Studies program, a two-year, research-based course of study. Students in this program take several required, Environmental Studies core courses, plus additional courses from across ESF and, as needed, at Syracuse University. A thesis is completed by the end of the second year. As prerequisites, the program requires successful completion of three upper-division courses in environmental policy or communication, general ecology, and environmental science, respectively. These may be fulfilled as co-requisites upon matriculation at ESF, but do not count towards graduate course requirements. Graduates from this program go on to advanced, doctoral studies in Environmental Studies, Geography and related fields; and to research- and policy-oriented professional practice positions.
I am especially interested in working with prospective graduate students with strong academic training in the social sciences, significant life experience, and a clear sense of direction for advanced studies. Graduate students working under my supervision can expect active engagement and encouragement to define research topics, establish solid scholarly foundations, obtain research funding (especially at the doctoral level), publish and present research findings to scholarly and professional audiences, and achieve well-rounded excellence in research, teaching (as applicable), and public and professional service. As a comparative environmental sociologist, I am particularly keen on internationally oriented topics, but am open to working on interesting domestic topics, as well.
If you'd like to explore further the possibility of working together for a couple of years (or more, for the Ph.D.),
please send me a note at <dsonn (at) esf.edu>. Describe your background
and scholarly/ research interests, and explain why you think it would be
especially beneficial for you to enroll in one of the programs mentioned above
(or one of ESF's other graduate
programs), under my supervision. Attach your résumé or
curriculum vitae. If feasible,
visiting ESF's campus in Syracuse
could be quite helpful as part of your
(pre-) application process. I look forward to hearing from you.
last updated December 07, 2011