We are in a planetary crisis. Human influences indeed are contributing to global climate change. We are far from treating one another with empathy and compassion. My scholarship lies at the core of jumping out of the critique of the global crisis into exploring solutions at a various levels. As a result, I ask myself the simple and yet complex question, "how do we foster change towards building sustainable socio-ecological societies?"
Currently, my scholarship is taking me into understanding transdisciplinary approaches to relational ontology and intra-active pedagogies as vehicles for transformative sustainability learning. I often weave social and affective change theories in neuroscience, relational feminine quantum physics, and ecological living systems principles to understand transformative learning and dynamics that occur in novel environments such as gardens, kitchens and watersheds and the material found in these environments such as soil, vegetables and water. I am interested how we are in these environments working towards social and environmental change and concurrently, it is possible to be in these environments more deeply than to merely measure it or study it as if it were separate us?
Currently, my scholarship is taking me into understanding transdisciplinary approaches to relational ontology and intra-active pedagogies as vehicles for transformative sustainability learning. I often weave social and affective change theories in neuroscience, relational feminine quantum physics, and ecological living systems principles to understand transformative learning and dynamics that occur in novel environments such as gardens, kitchens and watersheds and the material found in these environments such as soil, vegetables and water. I am interested how we are in these environments working towards social and environmental change and concurrently, it is possible to be in these environments more deeply than to merely measure it or study it as if it were separate us?
Publications
REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES
O’Neil, J. K. (2018). Transformative Sustainability Learning Within a Material-Discursive Ontology. Journal of Transformative Education, 16(4), 365 387. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344618792823
REFEREED BOOK CHAPTERS
Lewis B., O’Neil J.K. (2019) Critical Food Pedagogy and Sustainable Development, In: Leal Filho W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham
Kadoch, A., O’Neil J.K. (2019) Complexity Theory and Living Systems and Sustainable Development, In: Leal Filho W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham
Gaffney, J., O’Neil J.K. (2019) Experiential Learning and Sustainable Development, In: Leal Filho W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham
O’Neil, J.K. (2016). Visceral sensing in higher education: an affective and social neuroscientific explanation of the learning process. In Wang, V. and Cranton, P. (in preparation). Theory and practice of adult and higher education. Information Age Publishing (IAP).
O’Neil, J.K. (2017) (Be)Coming and (Re)Membering Through Kitchen Based Learning as Sustainability. An Innovative Living Learning Systems Model for Higher Education. In: Leal Filo W., Skanavis C., do Paco A., Rogers J., Kuznetsova O., Castro P. (eds) Handbook of Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development in Higher Education. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham.
REFEREED PUBLISHED CONFERENCE PAPERS
Lange, E. & O’Neil, J. (2016). Riverspeaking: Transformative Learning within a Relational Ontology. Proceedings of the XII International Transformative Learning Conference, Tacoma, WA: Pacific Lutheran University, October 21-23.
JOURNAL SPECIAL GUEST EDITOR AND REVIEWER
O'Neil, J.K. & Lange, E. (Eds.) (2018). Journal of Transformative Education, Special Issue: Transformative Sustainability Education. Sage Publishing: High Impact Ranking: 2016 SJR (SCImago Journal Rank) Score: 0.238 | 613/1066 in Education (Scopus®)
DISSERTATION
O’Neil, J.K. (2015). “Cooking to learn” while “learning to cook”: (be)coming and (re)membering sustainability (doctoral dissertation). ProQuest LLC. (UMI Number 3705566).
HANDBOOKS, GUIDEBOOKS, MEDIA RELEASES
O’Neil, J.K, and contributing editors (2017), Ed.D. Educational Sustainability Program Student Handbook.
Schultz, N. & O’Neil, J., (2017) Educational Sustainability Doctoral Offered at UW-Stevens Point, https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2017/03/24/educational-sustainability-doctorate-offered-uw-stevens-point/99518052/
O’Neil, J.K. and contributing editors (2016), Higher Learning Commission Ed.D. Educational Sustainability Guidebook
O’Neil, J. K. (2018). Transformative Sustainability Learning Within a Material-Discursive Ontology. Journal of Transformative Education, 16(4), 365 387. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344618792823
REFEREED BOOK CHAPTERS
Lewis B., O’Neil J.K. (2019) Critical Food Pedagogy and Sustainable Development, In: Leal Filho W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham
Kadoch, A., O’Neil J.K. (2019) Complexity Theory and Living Systems and Sustainable Development, In: Leal Filho W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham
Gaffney, J., O’Neil J.K. (2019) Experiential Learning and Sustainable Development, In: Leal Filho W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham
O’Neil, J.K. (2016). Visceral sensing in higher education: an affective and social neuroscientific explanation of the learning process. In Wang, V. and Cranton, P. (in preparation). Theory and practice of adult and higher education. Information Age Publishing (IAP).
O’Neil, J.K. (2017) (Be)Coming and (Re)Membering Through Kitchen Based Learning as Sustainability. An Innovative Living Learning Systems Model for Higher Education. In: Leal Filo W., Skanavis C., do Paco A., Rogers J., Kuznetsova O., Castro P. (eds) Handbook of Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development in Higher Education. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham.
REFEREED PUBLISHED CONFERENCE PAPERS
Lange, E. & O’Neil, J. (2016). Riverspeaking: Transformative Learning within a Relational Ontology. Proceedings of the XII International Transformative Learning Conference, Tacoma, WA: Pacific Lutheran University, October 21-23.
JOURNAL SPECIAL GUEST EDITOR AND REVIEWER
O'Neil, J.K. & Lange, E. (Eds.) (2018). Journal of Transformative Education, Special Issue: Transformative Sustainability Education. Sage Publishing: High Impact Ranking: 2016 SJR (SCImago Journal Rank) Score: 0.238 | 613/1066 in Education (Scopus®)
DISSERTATION
O’Neil, J.K. (2015). “Cooking to learn” while “learning to cook”: (be)coming and (re)membering sustainability (doctoral dissertation). ProQuest LLC. (UMI Number 3705566).
HANDBOOKS, GUIDEBOOKS, MEDIA RELEASES
O’Neil, J.K, and contributing editors (2017), Ed.D. Educational Sustainability Program Student Handbook.
Schultz, N. & O’Neil, J., (2017) Educational Sustainability Doctoral Offered at UW-Stevens Point, https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2017/03/24/educational-sustainability-doctorate-offered-uw-stevens-point/99518052/
O’Neil, J.K. and contributing editors (2016), Higher Learning Commission Ed.D. Educational Sustainability Guidebook
Presentations
REFEREED INTERNATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K., Emery, S. & Beasly, K., (2017). Dynamic Emergence of Kinship in a Global Sanctuary Community of Practice. 9th World Environmental Education Congress, Vancouver, Canada: Canada Center, September 9 – 15.
O’Neil, J.K. (2017). Feeling for Compassion: Visceral Sensing Nature-Culture Justice. 9th World Environmental Education Congress, Vancouver, Canada: Canada Center, September 9 – 15.
O’Neil, J.K. & Lange, E. (2016). Riverspeaking: Transformative Learning within a Relational Ontology. XII International Transformative Learning Conference, Tacoma, WA: Pacific Lutheran University, October 21-23.
O’Neil, J.K., (2016). Kitchen Based Learning as Sustainability: An Innovative Theoretical Model for Higher Education. 3rd World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities (WSSD-U), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA, USA, September 14-16.
NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K. (2017). A Living Learning Systems Model as a Methodology for Intra-Active Sustainability Learning Research, Sustainability and Social Science Research Symposium, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, May 17-19.
O’Neil, J.K., Jackson, M., Parajuli, P., (2015). Panel: How Matter Comes to Matter: Situating New Materialism in Sustainability Education, Prescott College Symposium, Prescott, Arizona.
O’Neil, J.K., (2011) Poster: Sustainable Living Certificate Program for San Juan College. Prescott College Sustainability Education Symposium, Prescott, AZ.
O’Neil, J.K. et al. (senior advanced environmental science class project, 2003). Paper, Presentation and Model: Modified Ferrite Co-precipitation Method. Environmental College of Santa Fe, Team Advisor, WERC, International Environmental Design Contest, A Consortium of Environmental, Education and Technology Development, Las Cruces, NM.
O’Neil et al. (senior advanced environmental science class project, 2004). Ultra-Pathogen Elimination System. College of Santa Fe, Team Advisor, WERC, International Environmental Design Contest, A Consortium of Environmental, Education and Technology Development, Las Cruces, NM.
STATE PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K. (2017). Relationship-centered Approaches to Training and Practice Across Disciplines, September 18 – 20. 2016, Bishop’s Ranch, Healdsburg, CA.
COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT OR UNIVERSITY PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K. (November 8, 2018). UWSP Panel with Doctoral Students: How and in what ways are we transforming systems of teaching, learning and leading towards a sustainable future? UW-System Sustainability Meeting.
O’Neil, J.K., (June 2018). UWSP Ed.D. Summer Residency: Education about, for and as Sustainability.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K. (2012). “Hoe” to Build a Community Garden from the Ground Up, presentation as part of a weeklong series in gardening, Southwest Garden Project, Durango, Colorado.
O’Neil, J.K. and Lombard, K. (2010). Spring Has Sprung: Plant Your Garden all-day workshop, San Juan College Outdoor Learning Center.
O’Neil, J.K. (2010). Slow Food, Fast: A Cooking Demonstration to local, healthy eating, San Juan College, Aztec Campus, Aztec, NM.
O’Neil, J.K. (2010). Introduction to Sustainable Living, presentation, San Juan College Aztec Campus, Aztec, NM.
O’Neil, J.K., Emery, S. & Beasly, K., (2017). Dynamic Emergence of Kinship in a Global Sanctuary Community of Practice. 9th World Environmental Education Congress, Vancouver, Canada: Canada Center, September 9 – 15.
O’Neil, J.K. (2017). Feeling for Compassion: Visceral Sensing Nature-Culture Justice. 9th World Environmental Education Congress, Vancouver, Canada: Canada Center, September 9 – 15.
O’Neil, J.K. & Lange, E. (2016). Riverspeaking: Transformative Learning within a Relational Ontology. XII International Transformative Learning Conference, Tacoma, WA: Pacific Lutheran University, October 21-23.
O’Neil, J.K., (2016). Kitchen Based Learning as Sustainability: An Innovative Theoretical Model for Higher Education. 3rd World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities (WSSD-U), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA, USA, September 14-16.
NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K. (2017). A Living Learning Systems Model as a Methodology for Intra-Active Sustainability Learning Research, Sustainability and Social Science Research Symposium, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, May 17-19.
O’Neil, J.K., Jackson, M., Parajuli, P., (2015). Panel: How Matter Comes to Matter: Situating New Materialism in Sustainability Education, Prescott College Symposium, Prescott, Arizona.
O’Neil, J.K., (2011) Poster: Sustainable Living Certificate Program for San Juan College. Prescott College Sustainability Education Symposium, Prescott, AZ.
O’Neil, J.K. et al. (senior advanced environmental science class project, 2003). Paper, Presentation and Model: Modified Ferrite Co-precipitation Method. Environmental College of Santa Fe, Team Advisor, WERC, International Environmental Design Contest, A Consortium of Environmental, Education and Technology Development, Las Cruces, NM.
O’Neil et al. (senior advanced environmental science class project, 2004). Ultra-Pathogen Elimination System. College of Santa Fe, Team Advisor, WERC, International Environmental Design Contest, A Consortium of Environmental, Education and Technology Development, Las Cruces, NM.
STATE PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K. (2017). Relationship-centered Approaches to Training and Practice Across Disciplines, September 18 – 20. 2016, Bishop’s Ranch, Healdsburg, CA.
COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT OR UNIVERSITY PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K. (November 8, 2018). UWSP Panel with Doctoral Students: How and in what ways are we transforming systems of teaching, learning and leading towards a sustainable future? UW-System Sustainability Meeting.
O’Neil, J.K., (June 2018). UWSP Ed.D. Summer Residency: Education about, for and as Sustainability.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PRESENTATIONS
O’Neil, J.K. (2012). “Hoe” to Build a Community Garden from the Ground Up, presentation as part of a weeklong series in gardening, Southwest Garden Project, Durango, Colorado.
O’Neil, J.K. and Lombard, K. (2010). Spring Has Sprung: Plant Your Garden all-day workshop, San Juan College Outdoor Learning Center.
O’Neil, J.K. (2010). Slow Food, Fast: A Cooking Demonstration to local, healthy eating, San Juan College, Aztec Campus, Aztec, NM.
O’Neil, J.K. (2010). Introduction to Sustainable Living, presentation, San Juan College Aztec Campus, Aztec, NM.
Affiliations & Grants
Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning, UWSP, Online Curriculum Development Grant for the Ed.D. Program, ($54, 000)
Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning, UWSP, Online Programs Marketing and Recruitment Grants (~$10,000)
Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning, UWSP, Professional Development Grant, Faculty Sustainability Consortium, Pittsburgh, PA. ($1000)
College of Professional Studies, UWSP, Tech Select Program, (Award: $1000).
Environmental Education Workshop for Wisconsin Institutions of Higher Education, June 11-14, 2017 at the Park Hotel on the Capital Square in Madison, (Award: $400 stipend + flight, room and board)
Department of Education Green Ribbon Award, Contributor
National, Relationship-centered Approaches to Training and Practice Across Disciplines, September 18 – 20. 2016, Bishop’s Ranch, Healdsburg, CA (Award: $500 plus flight, room and board)
University, Spring UWSP College of Professional Studies, Tech Select Program, (Award: $500)
P.E.O. Woman Educational Philanthropic Organization, Doctoral studies book grant (Award $1600) 2013
Graduate Assistant Fellowship, Prescott College (Award $40,000) 2009-2014
Department of Energy Educational Program Development Grant for San Juan College Sustainable Living Program (Award: $50,000) 2009-2011
WERC International Environmental Student Design Contest, Faculty Team Leader, Second place (Award: $2000) 2003 Third place 2004
Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning, UWSP, Online Programs Marketing and Recruitment Grants (~$10,000)
Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning, UWSP, Professional Development Grant, Faculty Sustainability Consortium, Pittsburgh, PA. ($1000)
College of Professional Studies, UWSP, Tech Select Program, (Award: $1000).
Environmental Education Workshop for Wisconsin Institutions of Higher Education, June 11-14, 2017 at the Park Hotel on the Capital Square in Madison, (Award: $400 stipend + flight, room and board)
Department of Education Green Ribbon Award, Contributor
National, Relationship-centered Approaches to Training and Practice Across Disciplines, September 18 – 20. 2016, Bishop’s Ranch, Healdsburg, CA (Award: $500 plus flight, room and board)
University, Spring UWSP College of Professional Studies, Tech Select Program, (Award: $500)
P.E.O. Woman Educational Philanthropic Organization, Doctoral studies book grant (Award $1600) 2013
Graduate Assistant Fellowship, Prescott College (Award $40,000) 2009-2014
Department of Energy Educational Program Development Grant for San Juan College Sustainable Living Program (Award: $50,000) 2009-2011
WERC International Environmental Student Design Contest, Faculty Team Leader, Second place (Award: $2000) 2003 Third place 2004