Dr. Emily Wakild (pronounced way-killed),
Latin American and Environmental Historian
I am a professor of history at Boise State University researching the relationships among people and their habitats across time and space (mostly Mexico and South America). I earned my Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in May of 2007 and then moved to North Carolina to work at Wake Forest University. After five productive years in the South, I decided that my soul needed to be nourished by the wide open landscapes of my natal West. I was thrilled to accept a position at Boise State University in 2012. I live in Boise with my husband, Eric Wakild, my son Ray, daughter Charlotte, and Grizzly, the black wondercat.
I teach about all eras of Latin American history as well as global environmental history courses. My teaching is rooted in my own fascination with larger questions (why do people do what they do in some places and not others? is there a place called Latin America? how and why is power concentrated in particular ways?) It is also laced with my desire to make curiosity and wonderment contagious. My award-winning book, Revolutionary Parks, explored the relationship between social justice and environmental protection by examining how the Mexican Revolution (1910-1940) included conservationist ideals. I am now engaged in two research projects, a comparative examination of the history of natural field science and conservation in South America and a social history of landscape change over the nineteenth century in the Valley of Mexico. I believe every historical project is enhanced by collaboration at both the researching and writing stages.
I teach about all eras of Latin American history as well as global environmental history courses. My teaching is rooted in my own fascination with larger questions (why do people do what they do in some places and not others? is there a place called Latin America? how and why is power concentrated in particular ways?) It is also laced with my desire to make curiosity and wonderment contagious. My award-winning book, Revolutionary Parks, explored the relationship between social justice and environmental protection by examining how the Mexican Revolution (1910-1940) included conservationist ideals. I am now engaged in two research projects, a comparative examination of the history of natural field science and conservation in South America and a social history of landscape change over the nineteenth century in the Valley of Mexico. I believe every historical project is enhanced by collaboration at both the researching and writing stages.