JESSICA TY MILLER

Assistant Professor of Instruction

Geography and Urban Studies Department

Temple University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

environmental and human geography, urban-regional dynamics, urban political ecology, city and identity, environmental inequity, perception, and health, planning, water resources, environmental gentrification and displacement, brownfields, and waterfront redevelopment.

 

EDUCATION

The Graduate Center, City University of New York – New York City

Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Specialization in Geography

May 27, 2015

Master of Philosophy, 2012

Coursework included qualitative methods, geographic information systems, geographic theory and environmental health

Dissertation: Super Fun Superfund: Polluted Protection Along the Gowanus Canal. This work investigated displacement and environmental gentrification in a Superfund redevelopment community along an urban waterfront in Brooklyn, New York

Advisors: Neil Smith (CUNY Graduate Center, until 2012), Kenneth Gould (Brooklyn College)

Committee: Juliana Maantay (Lehman College), Deborah Cowen (University of Toronto), and Melissa Checker (Queens College)

San Francisco State University – San Francisco

Specialization in Environmental Planning and Resource Management

Master of Arts in Geography, 2008

Coursework included mixed method research design, biogeography, land use planning, resource management and environmental planning, gender in geography

Thesis topic: Exploring how demographic and geographic factors influence risk perception of the economic, cultural and medical implications of air pollution in an industrial area along the Ohio River in Marietta, Ohio

Committee: Qian Guo, Nancy Wilkinson (chair)

The Ohio State University – Columbus

Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Film Studies, 2002

Communication courses focused on digital, intercultural and interpersonal communication

Film Studies was a self-created major and included interdisciplinary courses in Anthropology, Women’s Studies, German, English and other departments

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Temple University, Philadelphia (2015-)

Assistant Professor of Instruction, Geography and Urban Studies Department

Utilized active learning strategies in the classroom to get every student involved in the classroom activities.

Created curriculum for courses for undergraduate students in an urban campus. Class size in these courses: 120 students.

Sustainable Environments: This is an introductory course to Environmental Studies and Sustainability and fulfills a Science and Technology general education requirement for Temple students. Students learn the fundamentals of physical and cultural aspects of environmental planning and outcomes.

Temple University, Philadelphia (2014-2015)

Adjunct Instructor, Geography and Urban Studies Department

Utilized active learning strategies in the classroom to get every student involved in the classroom activities.

Created curriculum for several courses for undergraduate and graduate students in an urban campus. Class size in these courses ranged from 10-20 students.

Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (Fall 2014): This course introduced students to GIS (Geographic Information Systems) by investigating not only how to use the ArcGIS programs, but the elementary concepts of cartography and GIS theory that can be used to guide how we use GIS.

Urban Ecology (Fall 2014): This introductory urban ecology course focused on creating awareness of the varied ways ecosystems in urban environments function. We discussed how urban planning and other interactions between people, plants, and other organisms impact the destruction, survival, and proliferation of organisms and ecosystems in urban spaces.

Urban Dynamics (Spring 2015): This general education course focused on the historic development of US cities, globalization, city identity, trends in planning and development, and political engagement in urban areas. We also explored how these changes impact social justice and the future of cities.

 

Hunter College – New York City (2010-2012)

Graduate Teaching Fellow, Department of Geography

Used a diverse array of assignments, encouraged participation and learning through discussion, research and field trip assignments

Advised students in learning how to write academically

Created curriculum for several courses for undergraduate students in an urban campus. Class size in these courses ranged from 25-120 students.

For syllabi and additional teaching materials, see my digital teaching portfolio at https://jessicatmiller.commons.gc.cuny.edu

Environmental Conservation: Urban Problems (Spring 2011, Spring 2012)

The course began with a survey of urban systems (transport, water, food, waste and energy) followed by investigating how these systems contribute to urban environmental problems and their solutions. This investigation also included a discussion about the connections between rural and urban areas and urban planning that attempts to minimize environmental hazards.

World Regional Geography (Fall 2011)

This course introduced students to the geographic regions of the world. We examined the conditions that make each unique and at the same time increasingly interconnected. We explored the social, ecological, and economic challenges emerging with globalization by using the geographic boundaries/concepts of location, place characteristics, human/environment interaction, movement, and the region.

The Geography of Middle America (Fall 2010, Spring 2012)

This course examined the geographic region referred to as “Middle America” – Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. We explored how the region is influenced by the physical environment, colonial past, and present economies and political systems. We also explored the cultural and physical diversity of the region and considered the relationships between this region and North America.

 

TEACHING COMPETENCIES

Prepared to teach courses in environmental inequality, land use and environmental planning, urban, human and environmental geography, natural resources, urban ecology, conservation, qualitative methods, GIS and field methods, and regional geography

Center for Advanced Study in Education, The Graduate Center  – New York City (July, 2014)

 

This two week, National Science Foundation sponsored workshop offered graduate students an opportunity to develop and improve instructional strategies and techniques. It also provided guidance in developing classroom management and administrative skills focused on dealing with common classroom situations. The workshop content included:

 

– Active Learning Instruction Strategies

– Syllabus Construction

– A Brief Introduction to Contemporary Theories of Learning and Instructional Design

– Unit/ Lesson Design Strategies

– The Design of Assessments that Inform Instruction

– Strategies for Using Instructional Technology in the Classroom

– Opportunities to Engage in Practice Teaching

– Administrative Routines for Classroom Management

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

City University of New York Graduate Center– New York City

Research Assistant for Yahuda Klein, Department of Earth and Environmental Science (2011-2012)

Research focused on a project that integrates solar power potential, air quality improvements, wastewater facilities, methane retrieval, and environmental justice needs in a waterfront community in Brooklyn

Research Assistant for Setha Low, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Anthropology and Environmental Psychology (2009-2010)

Interviewed subjects for a study on internal governance structure and quality of life in housing cooperatives in New York City and developed codes for analyzing interview data

Trained other research assistants to conduct interviews with research subjects

City College of New York – New York City

Research Associate for Vasil Dyamondoglu in the Civil Engineering Department (2008)

Conducted research on the potential for steel reuse in the engineering sector of New York City

 

FELLOWSHIPS AND HONORS

External Funding:

Abby Duncan Scholarship, New York City Brownfields Partnership (2013)

Dissertation Research Grant, The Association of American Geographers (2013)

Abby Duncan Scholarship, New York City Brownfields Partnership (2011)

Participant, CUNY/Humboldt DAAD Summer School, Humboldt-Universität, Berlin (2010)

Travel Grant, Association of Pacific Coast Geographers (2005)

Internal Funding:

Social Media Fellowship, CUNY Graduate Center (2012-2015)

Presidential Research Fund Travel Grant, CUNY Graduate Center (2010, 2012 and 2014)

Doctoral Student Research Grant (Competition #8), CUNY Graduate Center (2013)

Graduate Teaching Fellowship, CUNY Graduate Center (2011-2012)

Doctoral Student Research Grant (Competition #6), CUNY Graduate Center (2011)

Graduate Teaching Fellowship, CUNY Graduate Center (2010-2011)

Provost’s University Fellowship, CUNY Graduate Center (2010)

Presidential Research Fellowship, CUNY Graduate Center (2009-2010)

Constantino University Fellowship, San Francisco State University (2005)

Graduate Equity Fellowship, San Francisco State University (2004 and 2005)

 

PUBLICATIONS

Articles:

(Revising for publication) The Gowanus Canal as a Mirror to Development, Decline, and Redevelopment in New York City. Journal of Planning History.

(Submitted for review) Is Urban Greening for Everyone? Social Inclusion and Exclusion along the Gowanus Canal. Journal of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening.

Nick Bacon, Matthew Bissen, Marnie Brady, Zoltán Glück, Malav Kanuga, Steve McFarland, Jessica Miller, Elizabeth Sibilia, Erin Siodmak, and Laurel Mei Turbin. 2012. “Contours of a spatialized influence: a tribute to Neil Smith.” Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 30(6).

Miller, J. 2011.”A Walking Tour of The Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn – 2012 Annual Meeting.”  The Association of American Geographers Newsletter, 46 (9).

Book Reviews:

Miller, J. 2013. “A Negotiated Landscape: The Transformation of San Francisco’s Waterfront since 1950.” By Jasper Rubin (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2011).” Journal of Social and Cultural Geography June 24, 2013.

Miller, J. 2012. “Metropolitan Natures: Environmental Histories of Montreal.” Edited by Stéphane Castonguay and Michèle Degenais (Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2011).”Journal of Urban Technology, 19(4).

 

PRESENTATIONS and FIELD TRIPS

Miller, J. 2015.”A Legacy from Bloomberg Era Policies: Environmental Gentrification in Gowanus, Brooklyn” Association of American Geographers Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.

Miller, J. 2014. Urban Political Ecologies: an Interpretation from Gowanus, Brooklyn. Critical Geography Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Miller, J. 2014. “Productions of Nature: Polluted Protection and Green Gentrification along the Gowanus Canal.” The Association of American Geographers Annual Conference, Tampa, FL.

Miller, J. 2014. “From Polluted Protection to Gentrification: Gowanus, Brooklyn.” University of Kentucky Political Ecology Working Group Conference, Lexington, KY.

Miller, J. 2013. “The Production of Nature, Gentrification and Displacement on the Gowanus Canal of Brooklyn, New York.” University of Kentucky Political Ecology Working Group Conference, Lexington, KY.

Miller, J. 2012.“Super Fun Superfund”: Urban Waterfront Redevelopment, Gentrification and displacement on the Gowanus Canal of Brooklyn, New York.” The Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, New York, NY.

Miller, J. 2012. “A Walking Tour of Gowanus.” The Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, New York, NY.

Miller, J. 2011. “Participation in Urban Waterfront Redevelopment: Mediaspree of Berlin, Germany and The Gowanus Canal of Brooklyn, New York.” The Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.

Klein, Yahuda, Jessica Miller, Vatsal Bhatt, Jorge Gonzalez, and Hildegaard Link, 2011. “Urban Sustainability on Campus: A New York City Case Study.” The Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.

Miller, J. 2011. “Does Green Gentrification Lead to Displacement? Urban Waterfront Redevelopment on the Gowanus Canal of Brooklyn, NY.” Critical Geography Conference, Worchester, MA.

Miller, J, Benjamin Haber, Mathias Nägelein and Young H. Byun. 2010. “Participation in Urban Waterfront Redevelopment: Mediaspree in Berlin and two Brooklyn Waterfront projects in New York City.” Humboldt University Urban Exchange Program, Berlin, Germany

INVITED TALKS

Miller, J. 2014. Environmental Gentrification along the Gowanus Canal. For Deborah Cowen and University of Toronto New York City Field Course students.

Miller, J. 2014. Urban Ecology and Brownfield Clean up along the Gowanus Canal. For Dianne Rocheleau and Clark University Urban Ecology students.

Miller, J. and Suzanne Stemple. 2013. “The “Foul Stench” of the Gowanus: A Mixing Zone of Public Perception, Community Action and Local Influence.” The Graduate Center Earth and Environmental Sciences Department Colloquium, New York, NY.

Miller, J. 2013. “A Walking Tour of Gowanus.” For Elizabeth Sibilia and Macaulay Honors College Urban Geography students, New York.

Smith, Neil and Jessica Miller. 2011. “The Production of Nature.” John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, Futurefarmers Dialogue for the Guggenheim Museum’s Intervals Exhibit, New York, NY.

PANELS

2015. Introducer, with Alida Cantor and Gwendoline McCrea. Beyond MUPE: Exploring diverse theoretical approaches to Urban Political Ecology. Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. Sponsored by Cultural and Political Ecology Specialty Group, Geographic Perspectives on Women Specialty Group, Urban Geography Specialty Group.

2012. Harlan Morehouse, Renata Blumberg, Brett Story, and Jessica Miller. “The Inner Conference 3.” The Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, New York, NY.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

City College of New York – New York City

Development Associate for Waste Match (2007-2008)

Assisted businesses, non-profits and government agencies in reducing waste and reusing materials by providing individual assistance

Nelson/Nygaard Consulting– San Francisco, California

Transportation Planning Intern (2006-2007)

Assisted in the development of the Marin Countywide Plan Environmental Impact Report, which won the National Planning Excellence Award for Implementation in 2007

Produced an all digital documentary film on lack of access to rural transportation in California

Planned public meetings on pedestrian and bicycle planning with underrepresented groups

Created GIS maps for publications, research and reports

California Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment– Oakland, California

Intern (2005)

Created health hazard fact sheets for use in communities impacted by environmental injustice

City of Oakland Sustainability Office – Oakland, California

Intern for Randy Hayes, Director of Sustainability for Mayor’s Office (Jerry Brown) (2005)

Created a city sustainability ordinance database for international city planning agency use Developed policy kits for use in cities looking to implement best practices in city planning

 

Public Geography/Community Projects:

Gowanus Canal Conservancy– Brooklyn, New York

Assisted in cleaning and clearing waterfront space for use as a storm water runoff catchment garden

 

Mercy Housing – San Francisco, California

Created an after school program for children in the Mercy Housing daycare focusing on environmental education

 

Urban Watershed Project– San Francisco, California

Conducted nitrate pollution research in Lobos Creek, a drinking water source in the Presidio of San Francisco

 

Presidio Native Plant Nursery– San Francisco, California

Created composting facilities, organized and cared for native plants to be used in the Presidio of San Francisco

 

San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department– San Francisco, California

Conducted GIS based research to analyze the potential success of reintroducing native plant species to area parks

 

Green Action for Health and Environmental Justice– San Francisco, California

Conducted outreach to Bayview/Hunter’s Point residents concerning environmental justice problems

 

UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENTAL AND FIELD SERVICE

University:

Member, Open CUNY Board (2013-2014) I met with the board to discuss annual updates to the terms of participation and created an agenda for Open CUNY, an open source and academic digital medium.

Departmental:

Member, Curriculum Committee (2012-2014)

Social Media Fellow (2012-2015) I have developed and maintain all of the departmental social media pages, including a departmental blog, a Facebook page and Twitter account. I also conduct online CV and research blog workshops in our department.

Co-Founder, Geography Colloquium Committee (2011-2012) I worked with a small committee to create our first departmental colloquium, which has been ongoing since 2011.

Member, Elections Committee (2010) I created an online platform and conducted our yearly board member election.

Co-Founder, Letter Committee (2010) Several students met and agreed on topics to discuss with the provost’s office at The Graduate Center about ongoing departmental needs, including appointments, curriculum, space and journal access

Field:

Participant, Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Local Arrangements Committee (2007)

PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY ASSOCIATIONS

American Society for Environmental History

Association of American Geographers