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Shannon Gibson

Associate Professor (Teaching) of Environmental Studies and Political Science and International Relations
Shannon Gibson
Email smgibson@usc.edu Office VKC 330 Office Phone (213) 740-2136

Biography

Dr. Gibson teaches courses and conducts research on global environmental politics, global public health, social movements, social justice and community-based research.

She received her Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of Miami in 2011. As a participant-action researcher she focuses on the role of disruptive politics and social movements in climate and health governance. In her dissertation, “Dynamics of Radicalization: The Rise of Radical Environmentalism against Climate Change,” she conducted field and participant observation research at a variety of international summits, including World Social Forums in Brazil and Senegal, the 2010 G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, and the United Nations climate negotiations in Copenhagen and Cancun.

Additionally, Dr. Gibson works to engage students in active and experiential learning by teaching abroad from her research travels, such as the UN climate talks in Paris and Bonn, and by leading Problems without Passports classes. She also runs interactive Model United Nations simulations in her courses based around real-life climate negotiations and World Health Assembly meetings.

Education

  • Ph.D. International Relations, University of Miami, 2011

  • Research Keywords

    global environmental politics, climate politics, global environmental activism, climate justice, sustainable development, community-based research

  • Conference Presentations

    • “Climate Activism within and against Globalization.” , International Studies AssociationTalk/Oral Presentation, Invited, San Diego, California, 2011-2012
    • “Exploring Activist-NGO-Institution Relationships: Dynamic climate actor relations at COPs 15 and 16.” , International Studies Association – WestTalk/Oral Presentation, Invited, Pasadena, California, 2011-2012
    • “The Frayed Braid: Three Strands of Leftist Activism in the Emergent Global Climate Justice Movement.” , International Studies AssociationTalk/Oral Presentation, Invited, Montreal, Canada, 2011-2012
    • “Radical Environmentalism and Eco-Terrorism”: The Influence on Global Environmental Politics.” , International Studies AssociationTalk/Oral Presentation, Invited, New Orleans, LA, 2010-2011
    • “Transnational Activist Networks, Framing and Direct Action Strategies: Tracing an Emerging Climate Justice Activist Network from Bali to Copenhagen.” , International Studies AssociationTalk/Oral Presentation, Invited, New York City, New York, 2009-2010

  • Book Chapters

    • Gibson, S. M. (2011). State-led Social Boundary Change: Transnational Environmental Activism, ‘Eco-Terrorism’ and 9/11.”. Power and Transnational Activism.

    Journal Article

    • Reitan, R., Gibson, S. M. (2011). Environmental Praxis, Climate Activism, and the UNFCCC: A Participatory Action Research Approach. Globalizations. Vol. 9 (3)
    • 2017 Fem-vironmentalist of the Year, Environmental Student Assembly, 2016-2017

  • Other Service to the University

    • Member, Dornsife Faculty Council, 2016 – 2018
    • Member, Academic Senate, 2017-2018
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