David A SonnenfeldProfessor

214 Baker Laboratory
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-470-4931
dsonn@esf.edu
Mailing address: 209 Baker Lab, SUNY-ESF, 1 Forestry Dr., Syracuse, NY 13210-2786
Messages: +1 (315) 464-0084 (voice/ text); Instagram: @DASonnenfeld
Office hours: by appointment
Appointments & Affiliations
- Graduate Studies Coordinator, Dept. of Environmental Studies, ESF (through Aug. 18, 2022)
- Co-Director of Research (Environment), Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC), Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University
- Research Associate, Environmental Policy Group, Dept. of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, the Netherlands
- Associate Editor, Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences
- Member, Foundation Editorial Board, Environmental Sociology
- Affiliate Faculty, Dept. of Sociology, Maxwell School, Syracuse University
- Affiliate Faculty, Graduate Program in Environmental Science, ESF
Education
- S.V. Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Policy, University of California at Berkeley, 1998-2000
- Ph.D., Sociology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1996
- M.A., Sociology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1991
- B.A. (Honors College), Independent Scholar, with distinction, University of Oregon, 1973
Research Interests
- Sociology of environment and natural resources
- Comparative environmental politics; illiberalism
- Transboundary water governance
- Sustainable development; sustainable transitions
- East/ Southeast Asia; Africa; the Middle East
- Field, historical, and mixed research methods
Books
- Taylor, Peter Leigh, and David A. Sonnenfeld, eds. 2018. Water Crises and Governance: Reinventing Collaborative Institutions in an Era of Uncertainty. London and New York: Routledge. [link]
- Lockie, Stewart, David A. Sonnenfeld, and Dana R. Fisher, eds. 2014. Routledge International Handbook of Social and Environmental Change. London and New York: Routledge. [link]
- Oosterveer, Peter, and David A. Sonnenfeld. 2012. Food, Globalization and Sustainability. London and New York: Earthscan/ Routledge. [link]
- Mol, Arthur P.J., David A. Sonnenfeld, and Gert Spaargaren, eds. 2009. The Ecological Modernisation Reader: Environmental Reform in Theory and Practice. London and New York: Routledge. [link]
- Smith, Ted, David A. Sonnenfeld, and David N. Pellow, eds. 2006. Challenging the Chip: Labor Rights and Environmental Justice in the Global Electronics Industry. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. [link]
- Mol, Arthur P.J., and David A. Sonnenfeld, eds. 2000. Ecological Modernisation around the World: Perspectives and Critical Debates. London and Portland, Oregon: Frank Cass/ Taylor & Francis. [link]
Symposia
- Fonjong, Lotsmart; Frank Matose; and David A. Sonnenfeld, eds. (forthcoming). Special Issue on "Conservation, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection in Africa," Society & Natural Resources [call]
- Matose, Frank; Lotsmart Fonjong; and David A. Sonnenfeld, eds. (forthcoming). Special Issue on "Climate Adaptation and Policy Response in Africa," Global Environmental Change
- Fonjong, Lotsmart, Frank Matose, and David A. Sonnenfeld, organizers, "Weathering Extremes: African Environmental Politics in a Destabilized World," Virtual Symposium, May 26-27, 2021 [call for abstracts; flyer; program]
- Sonnenfeld, David A., and Peter Leigh Taylor, eds. 2018. Special Issue on "Society and Natural Resources in an Illiberal World," Society & Natural Resources 31 (5), May. [link]
- Taylor, Peter Leigh, and David A. Sonnenfeld, eds. 2017. Special Issue on "Water Crises & Institutions: Governance Challenges in an Era of Uncertainty," Society & Natural Resources 30 (4), April [link]
- Sonnenfeld, David A., and Arthur P.J. Mol, eds. 2011. Symposium on "Social Theory and the Environment in the New World (dis)Order", Global Environmental Change, Vol. 21, No. 3 (August) [link]
- Sonnenfeld, David A., ed. 2008. Special Issue on "Globalisation and Environmental Governance," Global Environmental Change, Vol. 18, No. 3 (August) [link]
- Sonnenfeld, David A., and Stewart Lockie, eds. 2008. Special Issue on "Communities, Natural Resources, and Environments," Local Environment, Vol. 13, No. 5 (July) [link]
- Sonnenfeld, David A., and Arthur P.J. Mol, eds. 2006. Special Issue on "Environmental Reform in Asia," The Journal of Environment and Development, Vol. 15, No. 2 (June) [link]
- Sonnenfeld, David A., and Arthur P.J. Mol, eds. 2002. Special Issue on "Globalization, Governance, and the Environment," American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 45, No. 9 (May) [link]
Recent Articles & Chapters
- Quigley, Dianne, David A. Sonnenfeld, Phil Brown, and Tracie Ferreira. 2022. “Redefining Ethics and Ethics Research Directions for Environmental Studies/ Sciences from Student Evaluations,” Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. DOI 10.1007/s13412-022-00776-8. [link]
- *Gallup, Laura, David A. Sonnenfeld, and Farid Dahdouh-Guebas. 2020. "Mangrove Use and Management within the Sine-Saloum Delta, Senegal," Ocean & Coastal Management 185 (March): 105001. [link]
- Quigley, Dianne, *Alana Levine, David A. Sonnenfeld, Phil Brown, *Qing Tian, and Xiaofan Wei. 2019. "Survey on Using Ethical Principles in Environmental Field Research with Place-Based Communities," Science and Engineering Ethics 25 (2): 477-517. [link]
- Zhang, Wei, Lei Zhang, Ying Li, *Yuling Tian, *Xiaoran Li, *Xue Zhang, Arthur P.J. Mol, David A. Sonnenfeld, Jianguo Liu, *Zeyu Ping, and Long Chen. 2018. "Neglected Environmental Health Impacts of China's Supply-side Structural Reform," Environment International 115 (June): 97-103. [link]
- Sonnenfeld, David A., and Peter Leigh Taylor. 2018. "Liberalism, Illiberalism, and the Environment," Society & Natural Resources 31 (5): 515-524. [link]
Recent Courses
- EST 203, Introduction to Sociology (3)
- EST 494, Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies (1)
- EST 470/ 670, Water in the Middle East: Issues and Opportunities (3) [flyer]
- EST 690, International Environmental Policy Consultancy (with Wageningen Univ. & Van Lang Univ.) (3-4) [flyer, article1, article2]
- EST 797, Environmental Studies Seminar: Research Methods (1)
Recent Graduate Theses
Ph.D.
- Kedem, Rina, "Landscapes of Cold Peace. Post-conflict Environmental Cooperation: Israel and Jordan," Faculty of Social Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, 2022
- Ekoh, Susan, "Vulnerabilities, Flood Risk Perceptions, and Future Migration Intentions among Coastal Residents of Lagos, Nigeria," Environmental Science (Environmental and Natural Resources Policy), ESF, 2021
- Song, Jongdae, "A Holistic Approach to Analyzing the Effectiveness of Government-sponsored Voluntary Environmental Programs: Evidence from Manufacturing Industries in South Korea, 2005-2017," Environmental Science (Environmental and Natural Resources Policy, ESF, 2021 (co-chair)
- Fuentes Viera, Kaira T.,"The Role of Community-based Organizations in Natural Disaster Recovery and Community Resilience: A Case Study of El Grupo de las Ocho Comunidades Aledañas al Caño Martín Peña, San Juan, Puerto Rico," Environmental Science (Environmental and Community Land Planning), ESF, 2021 (co-chair)
- Hill, Dustin T., "Toxic Procurement: An Examination of United States Federal Government Contracts, Disproportionality, and Firm Environmental Performance, 2001-2012," Environmental Science (Environmental and Natural Resources Policy), ESF, 2021
- Mokashi, Shruti, "Forest Gods and Forest Conservation: Evolving Perceptions and Relationships of Local Communities with their Sacred Forests in Western India," Environmental Science (Environmental and Community Land Planning), ESF, 2019
- Oh, Young Min, "Boundary Interaction between Science and Politics: A Case Study on Multinational Cooperative Mechanisms for Transboundary Air Pollution in Northeast Asia," Environmental Science (Environmental and Community Land Planning), ESF, 2018 (chair)
- Lee, Kyungsun, "Exploring Eco-Industrial Parks via a Technological Innovation Systems Lens: Sustainability Transitions in South Korea and Japan," Environmental Science (Environmental and Natural Resource Policy), ESF, 2018 (chair)
- Ni, Xiaole, "Sense and Sensibility: Scientists and Environmental Advocacy in China," Environmental Science (Environmental and Natural Resource Policy), ESF, 2018 (chair)
M.Sc.
- Minnick, Danielle, "Drinking Water Vulnerability Mapping: PFOA Contamination in Hoosick Falls, New York," Environmental Science (Water and Wetland Resource Studies), ESF, 2021 (chair)
- Romero Fernández, Moory M., "Intercultural and Spiritual Approach to Water and Power in the Communitarian State of Bolivia in Times of Climate Change and Political Transformation," Environmental Studies (Environmental Policy), ESF, 2021 (co-chair)
- Scott, Kelsey, "Gendered Division of Participation: The Role of Gender in Anti-Hydrofracking Advocacy," Environmental Studies, ESF, 2018
Professional Associations
- International Sociological Association (Research Committee on Environment and Society, RC24)
- International Association for Society and Natural Resources
- Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (founding member)
- Rural Sociological Society (Natural Resources Research and Interest Group)
- Environmental Peacebuilding Association
- Switzer Environmental Program, Fellow
Current Graduate Advisees
Natasha Abrol
nabrol@syr.edu
- Degree Sought: MPS in Environmental Studies
- Graduate Advisor(s): Sonnenfeld
Grace Finocchiaro
gfinocch@syr.edu
- Degree Sought: MS
- Graduate Advisor(s): Sonnenfeld and Parker
- Area of Study: Environmental Policy
- Undergraduate Institution: Saint Louis University (Social Work)
Graduate Research Topic
Discrepancies between International Priorities and Local Realities: The Complex Socio-political Landscape of Marine Turtle Conservation Policy and Protection in El Salvador
Marie Loeffelholz
maloeffe@syr.edu
- Degree Sought: PHD
- Graduate Advisor(s): Sonnenfeld and Moran
- Area of Study: Environmental and Natural Resources Policy
Doctoral Research Topic
Moving away from a human-only perspective towards an inclusive approach through agency and future-oriented concepts: A critical analysis of human-dominated language and practices in three international river basin organizations
Areas of Competency
Environmental policy; Global environmental governance; Environmental values and collective behavior; Climate change and complex systems
Danielle Minnick
deminnic@syr.edu
- Degree Sought: MS
- Graduate Advisor(s): Sonnenfeld
- Area of Study: Water & Wetland Resource Studies
Personal Statement
I graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2016, with a BA in Global and International Studies, Conc. Environmental Science. Since then I have worked in a variety of construction-related fields, leading me to pursue environmental remediation techniques and policy reform, especially concerning groundwater and wastewater. I am a large proponent of the triple bottom line of the sustainability model, and adhere to Theile's suggestion that culture be a fourth aspect of the "People, Planet, Profit" dynamic.
Graduate Research Topic
Drinking Water Vulnerability Mapping: PFOA Contamination in Hoosick Falls, New York
Areas of Interest
Groundwater remediation and preservation techniques; wastewater treatment; public participation and policy making; and social perceptions of water
Favorite Quote
"You can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will." -Stephen King
Moory Romero Fernandez
mmromero@syr.edu
- Degree Sought: MS in Environmental Studies
- Graduate Advisor(s): Sonnenfeld and Luzadis
Graduate Research Topic
Intercultural and Spiritual Approach to Water and Power in the Communitarian State of Bolivia in
Times of Climate Change and Political Transformation
Journal articles
- Ryan SJ, Lippi CA, Carlson CJ, Stewart-Ibarra AM, Borbor-Cordova MJ, Romero MM, Cox S, Mahon R, Trotman A, Rollock L, Gittens-St. Hilaire M, King D, Daniel S. 2018. "Zika virus outbreak, Barbados, 2015 – 2016," American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 98(6): 1857.
- Stewart-Ibarra AM, Hargrave A, Diaz A, Kenneson A, Madden D, Romero MM, Molina JP, Macias Salto D. 2017. "Psychological distress and Zika, dengue, and chikungunya symptoms following the 2016 earthquake in Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador," Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 14(12): 1516.
- Ryan SJ, Carlson CJ, Stewart-Ibarra AM, Borbor-Cordova MJ, Romero MM, Cox S, Mahon R, Trotman A, St. Ville S, Ahmed S. 2017. "Zika virus outbreak, Dominica, 2016," Emerging Infectious Diseases 23(11): 1926.
Dylan Seaver
dseaver@syr.edu
- Degree Sought: MPS
- Graduate Advisor(s): Sonnenfeld
- Area of Study: Environmental Policy