Paul W. Shaffner
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Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, I felt connected both both the environment around me and the working class people who lived there. I studied cultural anthropology in undergrad, geography in grad school, and have dabbled in a number of areas including political ecology, ecohealth, conservation and ecology. My Master's thesis examined land cover change, livelihoods, and community perception using a case study in East Africa.

Place matters and I have well over a decade of experience connecting students to the world around them by developing and administering both secondary and university study and research abroad programs. I have spent time on field-study programs teaching and digging cars out of the mud, but also have extensive experience developing academic program structures within existing educational institutions. I'm a problem-solver and a fairly laid back fellow who enjoys nothing more than a new challenge and getting students out of traditional classroom settings.

Still an adjunct in the Department of Biology at Penn State University, I now reside amongst the pineapple fields of Kaohsiung, Taiwan where I am a high school teacher. My favorite days include mountain roads, hiking, new birds, good food and drink, and lots of time with my family.

Education

M.S. Penn State University 2015
Geography
Thesis: Perceiving Productivity: Land Cover, Livelihood, and Community Landscape Perceptions around Ndarakwai Ranch, Tanzania
B.S. Houghton College 2006
Intercultural Studies

Academic Interests

  • rural livelihoods
  • political ecology
  • social ecological systems
  • ecohealth
  • conservation
  • natural resources

Background

  • experiential education
  • field program development
  • ​higher education administration
  • educational program logistics







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  • About
  • Creativity
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    • Watercolor
  • Bird Blog