Daniel Cooper
Adjunct Professor
Biography
Daniel Cooper was born and raised in Nicasio in West Marin, California. His research is composed of two primary streams that often overlap and converge. The first branch is top-down focused on global perspectives. The second thread is ethnogeographic, derived from participatory bottom-up approaches to document and analyze traditional knowledge among the Akawaio, Makushi, Arekuna, and Alleluia in the Guiana Highlands of South America. Additional interests include North American social movements, transfronterismo, and local Indigenous communities such as the Coast Miwok, Ohlone, Hupa, and Kumeyaay, focusing specifically on colonial and missionary histories, resistance, syncretism, rewilding, and revitalization. Ultimately, he aims to inform the field of historical ecological landscape with integral spiritual, psychological, and geographical perspectives.
Expertise
- Geography and the environment
- Religion and spirituality
- Alleluia and the Pakaraima Mountains
Research Areas
- Social, environmental, climate, and spatial justice
- Indigenous peoples
- Latin American studies
Appointments
- Co-Chair, Global Commitment Committee
- Fellow, Indigenous Studies Network, The Oxford Research
- Centre on the Humanities
Education
- University of Oxford, PhD in Geography and Environmental Studies, 2016
- Johns Hopkins University, MA in International Relations, 2006
- Hamilton College, BA in Spanish and Public Policy, 2001
Prior Experience
- Adjunct Professor in Geography and Environmental Studies, Cal State University San Marcos
- Junior Professional Associate/Country Officer, World Bank Group
- Bid Clerk, Christie's
Awards & Distinctions
- Christ Church Regatta Champion, Wolfson College Boat Club Coach, 2018
- Blades at Summer 8s and Torpids: SABC (2), GTBC (1), 2016-2017
- Champion, Oxford City Royal Regatta, Green Templeton Boat Club, 2015
Selected Publications
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"A Spiritual History of Alleluia and the Pakaraima Mountains." SAGE Research Methods Diversifying and Decolonizing Research Cases. March, 2024.
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"The Reemergence of Tulare Lake in California." Weather Matters. November 2023.
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"Psychogeography reimagined." Journal of Global Indigeneity. Vol 6., Issue 2, 2022.
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"Strike Mission: El Salvador, Blockchain Technology, and Sustainable Development." United Nations 7th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals. May 2022.
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"Transfronterismo: A Fluid Borderland Identity and Movement." California Geographer. Vol. 60, 2021.