About -- Dr. Lee Ann Woolery
With a focus on divergent ways of knowing, Dr. Lee Ann Woolery pioneered Art-Based Perceptual Ecology, (ABPE) a transdisciplinary approach to conducting field-based ecological research. Dr. Woolery holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England. Her field study in Desert Ecology was conducted in the Sonoran Desert in both Arizona and Mexico. Dr. Woolery’s dissertation: Art-based perceptual ecology as a way of knowing the language of place, can be purchased by contacting her HERE.
Research in the Sonoran Desert
Dr. Woolery has conducted many plant biodiversity inventories in the Sonoran Desert that include walking and visually documenting the terrestrial plants through Art-Based Perceptual Ecology research methods such as the shadow drawing protocol, which communicates a visual narrative of the land’s story through patterns. More of her research can be seen HERE.
"My work is grounded in a desire to find ways that people can come to know the changes in our environment that do not solely rely on the Western scientific paradigm but collaborate in tandem with conventional science. Art and science can complement one another in the service of biospheric change and environmental sustainability through a pluralistic discourse, which may generate new questions and make available new solutions to environmental issues." (Woolery, 2002).
Dr. Woolery conducting plant biodiversity research in the Sonoran Desert in SE Arizona using the ABPE Shadow Drawing protocol. Teaching a young person 'shadow drawing' an ABPE research methodology used to study biodiversity. All artwork and photos - copyright L.A. Woolery.
Dr. Woolery is proud to work with GALS- Girls on outdoor Adventure for Leadership and Science, a free science program for high school girls in Arizona that integrates outdoor education with place-based science learning. GALS brings young women into the backcountry to increase science proficiency by engaging participants as scientists. Dr. Woolery engages with this group of young women, GALS participants in field-based science research workshops using Art-Based Perceptual Ecology research methodologies to study environmental change.
© 2023 Citizen Artist
2023 Happenings
Introduction to Citizen Artist™ and Art-Based Research Methods
6-Week Online Course. Sponsored by: Citizen Artist™
Next class starts Thursday, October 5, 2023
Learn alternative field-based scientific research methodologies applicable to participatory research projects; learn how to bring diversity and inclusion to participatory science research projects using a multimodal knowledge systems approach. Includes synchronous, asynchronous and experiential learning platforms. For more information.
Art-Based Perceptual Ecology, a transdisciplinary approach to conservation efforts.
International Consortium on Conservation Biology - ICCB 2023
July 24, Kigali, Rwanda In-person oral presentation.
Art-Based Perceptual Ecology: An alternative research methodology for acoustic ecology research.
Ecological Society of America Conference - ESA 2023
Aug. 9, 10-11:30 am, Portland, OR
In this 90-minute workshop, explore what happens when the researcher sets aside conventional research methods and technology and captures sound using only human sensory skills and alternative research methods to create and collect data. In-person experiential workshop.
Art-Based Perceptual Ecology expands a scientific practice and leads to transformative outcomes
Ecological Society of America (ESA) Conference 2023
Aug. 7, 3:30-5:00 pm, Portland, OR In-person oral presentation.
Art-Based Perceptual Ecology for conservation and sustainability
University of California-Berkeley
March 22, 2023, Gump Field Station, Moorea Island, French Polynesia
2-session virtual presentation exploring the application of ABPE for island biocultural conservation and sustainability issues.
The Human-Nature Relationship - ABPE in Urban Landscapes
Biomimicry Europa, Paris, France
January 22 and 28th, 2023
2-session virtual workshop with Dr. Woolery, virtual, and Citizen Artist Apprentice, Lauren Salm on the ground in Paris facilitating graduate students in political studies from Sciénce Po University to engage in urban ecology and art to study forest systems.
Using art in scientific dissemination and public engagement
JAM 2023 - AZ/NM Fisheries and Wildlife Societies Conference
January 3. Plenary Speaker. In-person. Farmington, NM
Past Happenings - 2022
Natural History Institute, Prescott, AZ
Sept. 22. In-person Presentation: Citizen Artist™: An Alternative Path to Studying Critical Environmental Issues.
Sept. 24. Field Workshop: Become a Citizen Artist.
For more information and video: Natural History Institute
NAAEE Conference - Tucson, AZ
Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 5-6:30 pm. Citizen Artist at NAAEE Share Fair.
Friday, Oct. 14 at 4 pm. In-person presentation. Preparing Educators to conduct community-based science research using alternative research methodologies.
Thursday, Oct. 13. Live-virtual presentation.Art-Based Perceptual Ecology: Alternative inquiry protocols suitable for widespread adaptation.
SciComm 2022 Conference - University of Nebraska
August 18. Featured Speaker. Citizen Artist™ - Offering transdisciplinary practices, tools and communication platforms for the advancement of science.
August 17. Virtual Panel Discussion.
North American Congress for Conservation Biology, Reno, NV
July 16-21, 2022. Virtual presentation: Restoring Connections: More-than-Human as co-collaborators in the research process.
Santa Cruz River Research Days Symposium
Sponsored by: The Sonoran Institute, Tucson, AZ
March 25, 2022. Virtual presentation. The plight of the Kingfisher: Travels through a riparian zone at Nogales Wash. https://sonoraninstitute.org