Yen-Chu Weng

Assistant Teaching Professor

Yen-Chu Weng

Assistant Teaching Professor

Courses

    • ENVIR 100: Introduction to Environmental Studies
    • ENVIR 301: Research Methods for Environmental Studies
    • ENVIR 310: Data Analysis in Environmental Studies
    • ENVIR 401: Analysis of Environmental Cases
    • ENVIR 430/JSIS 484: Environmental Issues in East Asia
    • ENVIR 496/JSIS 391: Study Abroad: Exploring Environmental and Social Resilience
    • GEN ST 297: Undergraduate Seminar: Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
    • SMEA 550: Qualitative Content Analysis

Education

  • B.S. Geography, National Taiwan University, 2003
  • M.S. Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005
  • Ph.D. Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2011

Affiliations

Fellowships and Distinctions at the University of Washington

As a geographer, I have always been interested in exploring the connections between human societies and the environment. I received broad trainings in both the biophysical sciences and the social sciences and integrated quantitative, qualitative, and GIS methods into my research projects. My master’s thesis analyzed the spatio-temporal changes of urban landscape patterns in response to urbanization, with a focus on green space conservation.

In my doctoral research, I explored different perspectives on ecological restoration from the standpoints of scientists, professional practitioners, and volunteers. Based on case studies from Wisconsin and Michigan, I cross-examined the meanings of science, nature, and participation embedded in restoration ideologies and practices.

I enjoy teaching and experimenting with innovative pedagogy in the core program courses I teach. At the University of Washington, I engage with the latest development in pedagogy through the Center for Teaching and Learning. I was awarded Technology Teaching Fellow through the CTL and several Global Innovation Fund Teaching & Curriculum Awards through the Office of Global Affairs. Externally, I have been involved in the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center’s program on “Teaching Socio-Environmental Synthesis with Case Studies.” Currently, I serve as the Associate Editor for the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.

I am also a core faculty member of the UW Taiwan Studies Program. I lead a summer study abroad program to Taiwan with the theme of “Exploring Environmental and Social Resilience“. In my course “Environmental Issues in East Asia”, we survey contemporary environmental issues in China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan through a comparative lens. Through this course, I organized a lecture series focusing on  Contemporary Environmental Issues in Taiwan.

In addition to teaching and research, I advise students on various Capstone projects, including topics about environmental education, greenway infrastructure, sustainability design, community outreach, clean-up site prioritization and many others.

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