Olivia Carter Meyer University of Kentucky, Department of Geography 818 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington, KY 40506-0027 [email protected] EDUCATION 2018 - University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky Master of Arts in Geography Research Focus: Feminist political ecology, plastic waste, social movements, environmental justice, geographies of Southeast Asia Advisor: Betsy Beymer-Farris May 2016 James Madison University (JMU), Harrisonburg, Virginia Bachelor of Science in Geographic Science Concentration: Environmental Conservation, Sustainability, and Development Graduated Cum Laude January 2015 - May 2015 University of Granada, Spain Coursework: language, geography, history of Islam in Spain, and contemporary Spanish culture GRANTS, HONORS & AWARDS 2020 Graduate Student Congress Travel Award, University of Kentucky ($300) 2020 Barnhart-Withington Research Awards, Department of Geography, University of Kentucky ($250) 2019 National Science Foundation Funding for the 2019 Global Symposium on Waste Plastic allocated by Jeffrey Seay and Lucy Alexander, American Institute of Chemical Engineers ($500) 2019 Barnhart-Withington Research Awards, Department of Geography, University of Kentucky ($1,500) 2019 Student Government Organizational Grant, co-grantee with E. Barrett, E. Clancy, E. Sperandio, & I. Spangler ($750) Fall 2012 - Spring 2016 James Madison University Dean’s List PUBLICATIONS 2020 Meyer, Olivia (Spring 2021): “Countering ‘Plastic Addicted Subjects’: Power, Essentialized Identities, and Expertise in Thailand,” MA Thesis. UKnowledge. 2019 Meyer, Olivia (2019): Review of “Youth activism and solidarity: the non-stop picket against Apartheid,” Social & Cultural Geography, DOI: 10.1080/14649365.2019.1627486. CONFERENCE Paper Presentations 2019 “The Plastic Pileup in Thailand: Tensions, Coalitions, and Frictions in the Grassroots Response.” UK Asian Studies Forum II, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. December 13. 2019 “The Plastic Pileup in Thailand: Illuminating Local Voices and Perspectives on the Causes and Grassroots Solutions.” 2019 Global Symposium on Waste Plastic, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. September 19 - 20. 2014 Nominated and presented American History paper at General Education Student Conference. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA. October 10. Conference Participation 2019 Workshop Participant. KOI Political Ecology Workshop. Indiana University Bloomington. 2019 Chaired Session. Undergraduate Symposium (Session I, Session II) 9th Annual Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference. Kentucky Political Ecology Working Group, University of Kentucky. Lexington, KY, USA. February 21 - 23. Mass Media 2020 Promoted 10th Annual Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference on NPR Member Station WUKY. PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE June 2020 – Present The Food Connection Research Assistant. College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. University of Kentucky. Lexington, Kentucky. • Conducted value chain mapping of local small grains and research development including interview transcription and coding. • Developed literature review and grant proposals for a produce prescription program in eastern Kentucky. November 2020 – Present Field Organizer. United Campus Workers of Kentucky. Lexington, Kentucky. • Coordinated efforts to organize public higher education employees without collective bargaining rights in Kentucky. • Supported research and development of various union steering committee projects including building membership and developing campaigns. September – November 2020 Voter Empowerment Staff. Kentuckians For The Commonwealth. Lexington, Kentucky. • Registered voters and advocated progressive legislative candidates in central Kentucky. • Collaborated with innovative team to expand voting rights to people with felonies in their past. Summer 2018 International Field Studies Assistant. GEOG 491: International Studies. James Madison University - Department of Geography. • Assisted undergraduate study program for four weeks in central Thailand. • Provided students with cultural knowledge and assisted with language training. May – October 2017 Department of Horticulture Assistant. Kasetsart University - Faculty of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand. • Edited and formatted scientific papers, dissertations, and scientific journal submissions. • Assisted in laboratory experiments and training. • Taught English to a class of twenty students and administrators. June – August 2016 Department of Horticulture Intern. Kasetsart University - Faculty of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand. • Designed and implemented an English course for Thai administrators and students. • Edited scientific research papers in English. • Assisted in graduate-level horticulture laboratory experiments. September 2015 – May 2016 Global Ambassador. International Studies Abroad (ISA). • Collaborated with the Study Abroad Office and regional ISA representative to promote study abroad. • Led frequent tabling, social media, and independent presentations on campus. December 2015 Presenter. James Madison University - Capstone Seminar in Environmental Problem Solving. • Delivered a capstone presentation on environmental vulnerabilities in Kosovo utilizing a risk assessment and qualitative analysis. • Executed extensive research and analysis to co-produce a 90-page report. May – August 2013 Intern. Sustainable Reston. Reston, Virginia. • Planned a local energy fair to raise awareness about certification processes and energy reduction practices. • Worked with Microsoft Excel inventory. • Assisted in various projects including environmental documentary screenings at Nature House (Reston Association’s Walker Nature Center). LEADERSHIP September 2019 – May 2020 Graduate Student Representative. Library Acquisitions Committee, University of Kentucky. August 2019 – May 2020 Conference Chair. 10th Annual Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference. University of Kentucky. May 2019 Mentorship Program Organizer. Geography Graduate Student Union. University of Kentucky. April 2019 – May 2020 President. Political Ecology Working Group. University of Kentucky. March 2019 Workshop Organizer. Critical Professionals: Using Your Academic Skills Within and Beyond the Classroom. Co-organized with E. Barrett, E. Clancy, E. Sperandio, & I. Spangler. Lexington, KY. January 2019 – May 2020 Member. Critical Pedagogy Working Group. University of Kentucky. September 2018 – May 2019 Secretary. Geography Graduate Student Union, Department of Geography, University of Kentucky. August 2018 – February 2019 Graduate and Undergraduate Student Paper Competition Coordinator. 9th Annual Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference. University of Kentucky. Lexington, Kentucky, USA. February 21 - 23. September – December 2014 Public Relations/Events Manager, JMU Geography Club. COMMUNITY ACTIVISM January 2016 Activist. Chesapeake Climate Action Network. • Lobbied Governor McAuliffe about the Clean Power Plan. • Appeared in a three-part video series disseminated to thousands of supporters. September 2014 – May 2016 Co-Founder and Core Facilitator. Climate Justice Coalition: Divest JMU. • Instituted the JMU fossil fuel divestment campaign, involving strategic campaign organizing, actions, and communication between faculty, administrators, and students. • Successfully petitioned key stakeholders, culminating in the completion of a divestment feasibility study, a faculty senate resolution in support of the campaign, and state-wide recognition. September 2015 Campus Lead. 350.org. • Organized JMU campus and Harrisonburg community involvement and transportation of over 40 people to the People’s Climate March in New York City. • Coordinated with regional 350.org and a variety of local grassroots organizations including Climate Action Alliance of the Valley and JMU EARTH. June – July 2015 Volunteer Farmer. Workaway. • Assisted in manual farm labor abroad. • Improved Spanish and French language skills. January 2013 – December 2014 Student Coordinator. Take Back the Tap: Food and Water Watch. • Headed a campus-wide campaign to reduce use of bottled water, working under the national campaign. • Petitioned, hosted educational events, and collaborated with local organizations. September 2013 – December 2014 Member. JMU EARTH. • Arranged events and volunteer opportunities such as transporting water to communities affected by the Elk River chemical spill and instituting sustainable food through JMU dining. • Led sustainability-based actions and campaigns on campus and appeared on JMU radio station to speak on environmental topics. October 2013 Participant. Mountain Justice, WV. • Collaborated in discussion and education-based trainings on grassroots organization, civil disobedience, and campaigning on mountaintop removal. • Assisted with day-to-day camp tasks while learning about Appalachian culture. May – June 2013 Volunteer farmer. WWOOF. • Contributed to the manual farm labor. • Community Supported Agriculture box delivery. • Farm store managing. • Public education for community members in Long Beach, Washington. TEACHING EXPERIENCE Spring 2020 Teaching Assistant. GEO 135: Global Climate Change and GEO 161 Global Inequalities. University of Kentucky - Department of Geography. Fall 2019 and Fall 2018 Teaching Assistant. GEO 162: Intro to Global Environmental Issues. University of Kentucky - Department of Geography. Spring 2019 Teaching Assistant. GEO 109: Digital Mapping. University of Kentucky - Department of Geography. September 2014 - May 2016 Teaching Assistant. James Madison University - Department of Geography. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS January 2019 – Present American Association of Geographers August 2018 – Present University of Kentucky Graduate Student Union December 2014 – Present Gamma Theta Upsilon Honor Society December 2014 – Present National Society of Leadership and Success COMPUTER SKILLS ArcGIS QGIS Social Explorer Premiere Pro CC LANGUAGE SKILLS English (Native), Spanish (Highly proficient), Thai (Elementary proficiency) .