___------------- ashley meredith__ |
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Ashley Meredith
meredith.ashley@gmail.com
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| OBJECTIVE |
As an applied anthropologist trained in Romance, Hawaiian, and Estonian Languages, Spanish, Latin American, Hawaiian, and Estonian cultures, Linguistics, and Anthropology, I examine how communities perceive themselves and how they are represented in cultural imagery to solve contemporary problems in heritage tourism and cultural resource management. I incorporate community-based learning in partnership with community organizations whenever possible. |
| LANGUAGES |
| English (native), Spanish (fluent), other Romance languages (beginner), Hawaiian (beginner), Estonian (beginner); others upon request. |
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| FIELDWORK AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE |
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Co-Principal Investigator, Master’s thesis fieldwork: “Native and non-Native Hawaiian Imaging and Imaginings of Hawaiianness: A Case Study from Hawai`i Island Residents.” Fieldwork conducted in Hilo, Hawai`i. This research explored perceptions of how Hawaiian culture is represented through imagery in the public environment. Advisors: Dr. David Koester (PI), Dr. Jane Kathryn Managan, Dr. David Fazzino, and Dr. Kerrie Ann Shannon. IRB Protocol #08-84. Fieldwork conducted December 2008-February 2009. |
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Graduate Research Assistant in Community Development project: “Food Security and Sustainable Development in Fairbanks North Star Borough.” Advisor: David Fazzino. Conducted interviews with participants in Fairbanks Native Association and Fairbanks Soup Kitchen regarding their migration to/from Fairbanks, food access, and perceptions of healthy eating. Managed students and necessary equipment to conduct fieldwork in a timely manner as well as conducting interviews in the field. Fieldwork conducted November 2008-May 2009. |
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Graduate Research Assistant in Cultural Resource Management project: “Ahtna Texts” (NSF Grant #0553831). Principal Investigator: Dr. Siri Tuttle, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Updated the Alaska Native Language Center’s archives to preserve Ahtna cultural resources by converting paper and tape resources to digital formats; consulted with James Kari and his personal collection. Archived Ahtna audio and texts in Excel and converted audio from tape to CD and paper text to *.pdf. Edited, organized, and designed interactive *.html files to accompany Ahtna CD; Reviewed Ahtna texts to match corresponding audio. Collaborated with Ahtna community members and compiled Ahtna language resources (digital, audio, and paper) and aided in design for interactive HTML for CD-ROM for indigenous Ahtna people and endangered Ahtna language. Fall 2006-Spring 2008. |
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Graduate Research Assistant in Cultural Resource Management project: “Gwich’in Language Pedagogy Tools” (NSF Grant #BCS-0504190). PI: Kathy Sikorski, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Collaborated with colleagues and Gwich’in community to develop and promote web-based language tools and increase accessibility for local and remote Gwich’in language learners. Surveyed Yukon Flats and Arctic Village school districts to ensure implementation of tools. Interviewed potential users and surveyed the Yukon Flats school district to build a website appropriate to their needs and building the website for the Gwich’in Language Tools. Attended and presented at relevant conferences. October. 2006-July 2007. |
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Community Outreach Intern for Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System) and the University of Hawai`i, Hilo. Project: “Negotiating meaning: Pan-STARRS, the local community, and the telescope for Mauna Kea.” Cultural mediation assistant between Group 70 and local residents. Represented Native Hawaiian residents’ insight regarding the protection of cultural resources, community empowerment, and construction of a new telescope on Mauna Kea, a sacred site in Hawaiian culture on Hawai`i Island. Spring 2006. |
| June 2005 |
Independent fieldwork project: “Hawaiian Loanwords and Pidgin Semantics.” Advisor: Dr. Suzanne Romaine. Conducted interviews with speakers of the Pidgin Language to determine semantic changes for loanwords. Summer 2005. |
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Extensive travel (2002-2010). Latin America: Belize, Grand Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico; North America: Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Canada; Pacific: Australia, Hawaiian Islands; Europe: Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Spain (including Canary and Balearic Islands), United Kingdom. |
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| EDUCATION |
2010
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M.A. Anthropology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska
Master’s thesis: “Imaging and Imaginings of Hawaiianness in the Contemporary Hawaiian Islands." Supervisor: Dr. David Koester
-Study abroad student at University of Tartu, Estonian Language Center
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2006
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B.A. Linguistics, University of Hawai‘i, Hilo, Hawai`i
-Specialized in Hawaiian language and culture
Senior paper: “Language Attitudes Towards Standard American English and Hawaiian Loanwords in Hawai`i Creole English.” Supervisor: Yumiko Ohara.
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2005
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B.A. Spanish Languages and Literatures, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
Senior Honors thesis: “Economics of Linguistics from old to modern Spanish: An economical analysis of linguistic change through a comparative linguistic study of El poema de mîo Cid.” Supervisor: Dr. William Davis.
-Business Administration and Photography Minors
-Study abroad to Australia (2003) at Bond University for International Business and Spanish
-Study abroad to Spain (2004) at Center for Cross-Cultural Study for Spanish Language and culture.
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| TEACHING EXPERIENCE |
| January 2010 |
Guest teacher, Ülenürme Gümnasium, Ülenürme, Estonia. Presented on the theme of “Breaking Stereotypes.” Created and developed lessons about culture in the United States. |
| Spring 2009 |
Research/Teaching Assistant. Provided supplemental lectures for “Political Anthropology” course, including research methods and fieldwork decorum, for Dr. David Fazzino. Performed Project Manager responsibilities for class project on Food Security project and Sustainable Development in Fairbanks North Star Borough Spring 2009. |
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Teaching Assistant. “Native Cultures of Alaska.” Dr. Michael Koskey. Assisted in teaching and analyzing cross-cultural connections among native peoples in Alaska. Duties included grading, conducting class, and developing and delivering lectures on indigenous issues related to nations and cultural resources. Fall 2008. |
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Teaching Assistant for three courses, “Research Design & Professional Development,” “PhD Seminar,” and “Anthropological Background for Resilience Adaptation.” Dr. Kerrie Ann Shannon. Gained experience with the preparation and management of documents for eReserves and Blackboard at the Instructor level. Fall 2008. |
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English conversationalist for international students in the English as a Second Language program at Hawai`i Community College. Met regularly with international students from Japan, Jordan, and China to practice using the English language. Hilo, Hawai`i. Spring 2006. |
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Spanish Language Tutor for 100, 200, and 300 level Spanish language and literature courses at Mercer University's Academic Writing Center. Directed students in their acquisition of Spanish languages. 2004-2005. |
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ESL Volunteer Teacher at Agnes Barden Elementary School and Kairo’s Peace House in Macon, Georgia for recent Latin American immigrants. Assisted in developing transition education program for students with Spanish as their first language. 2003-2005. |
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| PUBLICATIONS |
Upcoming
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Forthcoming. Ashley Meredith and David Fazzino. “ Imaging and Imaginings of Native Hawaiian Identity: Cultural Sustainability on the Island of Hawai‘i”. The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability.Vol. 6. Peer Reviewed.
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| EDITORIAL POSITIONS |
2010
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Associate Editor. Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability.
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| UNIVERSITY INVOLVEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE |
2007
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Founder and organizer of the “Language & You” lecture series. University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Developed a lecture series on campus to educate students on how language can empower or marginalize people. |
2006
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Culture and Stargazing volunteer: Taught the general public about the Hawaiian culture, also how Mauna Kea relates to the Hawaiian culture. Informed visitors about Hawaiian star names, mo'olelo (stories), and differenJournal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability. Associate Editor. 2010.t Hawaiian sites on Mauna Kea. Assisted the public with the VIS telescopes, pointed out bright stars and constellations, tell stories of Hawaiian and Greek/Roman mythology, inform the public of the hazards of high altitude, and update the public about current events on Mauna Kea. |
2004-2005
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Ambassador for the Center for Cross-Cultural Study at Mercer University. Recruited students for study abroad in Spain and Argentina.
President for Spanish Organization at Mercer University. Recruited students, organized cultural awareness events, and managed peers for successful Mercer University inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month. |
2004 |
August. Translator, Spanish-English. Birch Elementary School, Fayette County, Georgia, United States. |
2003 |
Co-founder of the Young Democrats Association chapter at Mercer University. Created a forum to discuss current politics and represented political interests of Mercer University students. |
2001 |
Co-founder of Mercer University’s Linux User’s Group (MULUG). Assembled an organization devoted to an alternative operating systems and collaborated with students interested in Windows-Linux communication. |
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| SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS |
| 2006-2009 |
Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant, University of Alaska, Fairbanks |
2001-2005
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Mercer University Division I Collegiate Cross-Country Running Scholarship |
| 2001-2005 |
Mercer University Academic Scholarship, All-Academic and Presidential scholastic awards |
| 2001-2005 |
Georgia Baptist Heritage Grant |
| 2001-2003 |
Georgia HOPE Scholarship |
| 2001 |
Ronnie Godwin Running Scholarship |
| 1999-2001 |
Dedicated Runner Award. |
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| CONFERENCES, LECTURES, AND INVITED PRESENTATIONS |
2010
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Upcoming. “Tourism and Perceptions of Hawaiian Identity and Hawaiianness: A Case Study from Indigenous Hawaiian and Non-Native Hawaiian Residents on Hawai`i Island.” Society for Economic Anthropology Annual Meeting, themed “Contested Economies: Global Tourism and Cultural Heritage.” April 8-10, Tampa, Florida.
“Imaging and Imaginings of Native Hawaiian Identity: Cultural Sustainability on the Island of Hawai`i”. Sixth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Cuenca, Ecuador. 5-7 January, 2010 |
2009
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“Socio-visual Sustainability in Hawai`i.“ Guest lecturer with Kathy Las for “Language” lecture in ANTH100-Introduction to Anthropology. 23 March.
“Semiotics of a Sovereign Hawaiian Nation: Identity, Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Colonialism.” Delivered as complement to anthropology course titled “Political Anthropology” for Dr. David Fazzino. 18 February. |
2008
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“Understanding Language: Pidgins, Creoles, Hawai`i, and Linguistics.” Delivered as complement to anthropology course titled “Individual, Society, and Culture.” 27 October.
“The Eyak, Language Policy/Planning, and Linguistic Human Rights.” For Dr. Michael Koskey, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 22 September.
“What does it mean to be indigenous?” Delivered as complement to anthropology course titled “Native Cultures of Alaska.” 12 September.
“Gender Identity in a Text Only Environment. “ For Dr. David Fazzino, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 21 March, 2008.
“Negotiating Meaning Between Pan-STARRS & the Local Community on the Big Island, Hawai`i.” For Dr. David Fazzino, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 9 February, 2008.
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2007
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Gwich’in Pedagogy Tools Website (with Kathy Sikorski). Athabaskan Language Conference, Tsaile, Arizona. June 22-24.
“Semantics in Genocide” on the topic of “Language & You: How language has been used marginalize and empower people.” Presented with Hank Delcore, visiting professor from California State University, Fresno). March 22.
“Gwich’in Pedagogy Tools” (with Kathy Sikorski). Yukon Flats High School, Fort Yukon, Alaska. March 9.
“Gwich’in Pedagogy Tools” (with Kathy Sikorski). Arctic Village teleconference with Circle High School. March 13.
“Gwich’in Pedagogy Tools” (with Kathy Sikorski). Arctic Village High School, Arctic Village, Alaska. March 12.
Gwich’in Pedagogy Tools (with Kathy Sikorski, Sabine Siekmann). Bicultural Multicultural Education/Equality Conference, Anchorage, Alaska. January 23-31. |
2002 |
“Windows & Linux Communication.” Cal Linux User’s Group (CalLUG), University of California, Berkeley. Berkeley, California. February. |
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| PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS |
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19 November, 2008. “Ethics-Institutional Review Board.” Discussant: Bridget Stockdale. University of Fairbanks, Alaska.
8 October, 2008. Alaska Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Discussant: Anne Sudkamp. University of Fairbanks, Alaska.
1 October, 2008. Center for Research Servies: Office of Research Integrity. Discussant: Andrew Parkerson-Gray. University of Fairbanks, Alaska. |
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| PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP |
American Anthropological Association
Easter Island Foundation
LinguistList
Save Darfur, activist
Society for Applied Anthropology
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| CERTIFICATIONS |
CITI Certification for Ethical Research (June 2008-June 2010)
PADI Certified Open Water Scuba Diver (October 2005-present)
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| NON-ACADEMIC INVOLVEMENT |
-Volunteer rock wall certifier at University of Alaska Student Recreation Facility; Fairbanks, Alaska, 2007-2008
-University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Intramural Lacrosse Captain, 2006-2008
-Hawaiian Canoeing, 2006
-Mercer University, Division I Collegiate Cross Country Runner, 2001-2005
-Hobbies: Cross Country Skiing and Running, Cycling, Ice climbing, Lacrosse, Learning Languages, Photography, Racquetball, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Surfing, Scuba diving, Traveling
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| TECHNOLOGY SKILLS |
Dreamweaver, Blackboard, Photoshop C3, Microsoft Office Products, iWork, Open Office.org Products, Windows, Linux and Mac platforms/browsers, ability to learn software and technology easily; Statistics (descriptive and inferential); learn languages easily; Pacific and North America fieldwork experience; Research skills: bibliographic skills; data identification, analysis, presentation.
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| HIRING EXPERIENCE |
2004. Search for Latin Americanist for Mercer University Spanish Department. Interviewed and evaluated potential professors with other Spanish majors and professors.
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| 2007, 2008. Participated in two searches for the one-year Visiting Professor position in Cultural Anthropology for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Anthropology Department |
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