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Bartang Valley;
Photo credit: Karim-Aly Kassam

Tashkurgan, Xinjiang;
Photo credit: Jinchu Xu

Dr. Karim-Aly Kassam is International Professor of Environmental and Indigenous Studies in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. He is jointly appointed to the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program.

 

Education

Ph.D. (Natural Resource Policy and Management with concentrations in Cultural Anthropology and Community Sociology) Cornell University, USA

M.Sc. (Social Policy and Planning in Developing Countries) London School of Economics, UK

M.Phil. (Islamic Studies) University of Cambridge, UK

B.A. (Economics) University of Calgary, Canada

View Curriculum Vitae

 

News

We are hiring an Associate or Full Professor, Tenure-track, in Environmental Justice, Law, and Policy in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Cornell University. Click here to see job ad.

Iriel Edwards, inspector with Real Organic Project, a former dryland SRI rice farmer with Louisiana-based Jubilee Justice and a former member of the Kassam Research Group speaks on food apartheid. The link to her podcast at: Real Organic Podcast: Iriel Edwards: Why Is Race In This? USDA Discrimination, Land Access, And Collective Liberation on Apple Podcasts.

“Once You Know, You Become Responsible!” : Commencement Address at the American University of Central Asia to the Graduates of 2023 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on June 3rd, 2023.

“Struggle, Sorrow and Hope” : Speaker at the Soup and Hope Lecture Series held at Sage Chapel, Cornell University, on March 23rd, 2023.

 “A Methodology of Hope for the Climate Crises: The Role of Ecological Calendars” : Seminar Speaker at American University of Central Asia held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on December 16th, 2022.

 “How indigenous Knowledge could factor into federal policy – especially on climate change”Interview with Wisconsin Public Radio.

“White House elevates indigenous expertise to inform policy” : Interview with Politico’s E&E News.

A Methodology of Hope for the Climate Crisis: The role of Ecological Calendars” : Speaker at the New York Society for Ethical Culture held on October 9th, 2022.

Dreams and Journeys“: Feature in a collection of poetry by an Indigenous Artist and Poet, Fred McDonald. 

“The power of Indigenous Communities in the fight against climate change,” : Television feature aired on Efecto Naím, Spanish media, reaching an audience of 10 million in the US and Latin America.

Feature Article and Cover Photo in Human Ecology: Engaging Transformation: Using Seasonal Rounds to Anticipate Climate Change

Cornell Research Features: Indigenous Communities and Climate Change

Cornell Chronicle: Climate change adaptation requires Indigenous knowledge

ECCAP Community Reports

Op-Ed Essay: Afghanistan – Did They Die in Vain?

Celebrating Graduates of the Research Group

Op-Ed Essay: Anxiety, Climate Change, and the Sacred — Lessons from COVID-19

Professor Kassam’s Chapter “Anthropogenic Climate Change, Anxiety, and the Sacred: The Role of Ecological Calendars in the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia” is now available in Understanding Climate Change through Religious Lifeworlds

Op-Ed Essay: Personhood: Rejecting the Notion of Race

Professor Kassam Receives a Grant to Conduct Workshop of Peace Building, Climate Change, and Migration.

A Member of the Research Group is Featured as a Graduate Student Spotlight

Cornell Chronicle Covers Science Diplomacy Workshop Led by Kassam Research Group at American Geophysical Union 100th Anniversary in Washington D.C.

Ecological Calendars and Cultural Revitalization in Kyrgyzstan

Report of the Canadian Embassy to the Government of Canada on Professor Kassam’s Visit to Kabul

Inside Science Covers Ecological Calendars Project: “Tapping Traditional Wisdom to Cope with Climate Change”

More…

Professor Kassam speaking at a seminar entitled “A Methodology of Hope for the Climate Crisis: The Role of Ecological Calendars” at Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Photo Credit: Almaz Usenaliev, American University of Central Asia.

 

Professor Kassam with his students at his home in Ithaca Photo Credit: Yasmin Kassam

 

Awards and Fellowships
  • Professor Kassam is awarded the Freedom of Expression Fellowshipas part of the Global Public Voices initiative at Cornell’s Einaudi International Center
  • Professor Honoris Causa awarded by the Faculty Senate of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in recognition of contributions to the culturally grounded community-based research on climate adaptation in Central Asia, and sponsoring and supporting AUCA students. (2023)
  • Community-Engaged Practice and Innovation Award from the David M. Einhorn Center at Cornell University for commitment and ability to integrate community engagement into courses, leadership and research programs. (2023)
  • Kendall S. Carpenter Memorial Student Advising Award, Cornell University (2021-22)
  • Global Public Fellow, Einaudi Center for International Studies, Cornell University (2020-21)
  • Faculty Fellow, Cornell Botanic Gardens (2019 – Present)
  • University of Bayreuth (Germany) International Senior Fellowship (2017-22)
  • Faculty Member, Cornell University Library Board (2016-Present)
  • Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Diversity Award (2013)
  • Academician (Elected) of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan (2012 – Present)
  • Faculty Fellow, Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future (2009 – Present)
  • International Professor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (2007 – Present)
  • Teaching Excellence Award (2005/2006)
  • Popular Professor, Maclean’s Guide to Universities (2004)
  • Alberta’s 50 most influential people for 2003, Alberta Venture Magazine
  • Teaching Excellence – Honourable Mention (2002)
  • Teaching Excellence Award (1998/1999)
  • Research Associate, Arctic Institute of North American (1995 – Present)
  • First Canadian Recipient of Organization of American States, Fulbright Ecology Fellowship (2003-2005)
  • First Murray Fraser Professor of Community Economic Development (1998-2001)
  • Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society (1991)
 

Professor Kassam in the Alai Valley visiting Sary Mogul, 2022. Photo Credit: Nurislam.
Professor Kassam with community members in Bartang Valley, 2022. Photo credit: Shahlo Saradbekova.

      

 

 

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