Stephanie Shepherd

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT STEPHANIE SHEPHERD

I am a research scholar and educator, working on the very timely challenges around interactions between humans and how their behavior impacts rivers and watersheds.Some would ask, why does this matter? It matters because I can use my geoscience training to help communities understand how their river systems change through time so they can protect and better manage them in the future. It matters because I can apply my scientific inquiry skills, survey methods, and use field tools to document and preserve historical sites. For example, my students and I were invited to survey African American cemetery, so that this history is not forgotten.I lead the Geomorphology Lab in the Department of Geosciences at Auburn University. As the PI I have received multiple intra- and extramural grants including three National Science Foundation grants. I advise and mentor student researchers in my department as well as Civil Engineering; Biosystems Engineering; Crop, Soil, and Water Science; and Education.I have more than ten years experience designing curriculum and teaching higher education geoscience courses. I am recognized as a leader in active learning and inclusive teaching pedagogy. I believe in engaging my students with interactive experiences that challenge them to think and apply what they learn to real life challenges. I have undertaken the hard work to ensure my courses are inclusive and provide opportunity for open dialogue and growth. Working with the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, I promote research-based teaching strategies among my peers and have developed and conducted faculty trainings to improve teaching across colleges at Auburn. In addition, I have extensive experience communicating science to diverse audiences as well as developing collaborative relationships between stakeholders, non-profits, government, and research institutions.