Philosophy

Rob arrived at OSU in 2014, as Associate Professor of Environmental Justice and Social Philosophy. Upon his arrival to OSU he was awarded the honor of Inaugural Resident Scholar of Engagement for the Center for Latin@ Studies and Engagement (CL@SE). Largely the result of his upbringing that juxtaposed the maritime culture of the Jersey Shore with industrial urban poverty and colonial Latinx diaspora, he committed his philosophical acumen to practical scholarship; in particular, Environmental Justice Studies.

His influential work is due to the generosity of many students and colleagues from leading interdisciplinary departments and centers. Together they fostered Rob's professional development including the introduction of the first college philosophy course in Environmental Justice. He has over two decades of promoting environmental justice pedagogy within the emergence of the Environmental Humanities.

In early publications, he added new dimensions from Latinx perspectives to advance expanding the conceptions of justice regarding identity, heritage, cultural perception and status, as well as alternative strategies to remedy environmental injustices at multiple scales. At the same time, collaboration with Michael Glantz at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO, led to the initiation of environmental justice arguments to UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.

Rob has also collaborated on advancing diversity in the study of science and technology in society. With Sandra Harding, he co-edited Science and Other Cultures: Issues in the Philosophies of Science and Technology, which was one of the major products of their NSF grant to the American Philosophical Association. 

A large part of his current transdisciplinary research continues to be with Latinx communities in the US; in addition to, indigenous populations addressing joint-management of National Parks and environmental heritage, as well as refugee populations in terms of environmental and climate refugees, conditions in refugee camps, and relocated communities. He consistently draws upon environmental identity, heritage, cultural continuance, and restorative empathetic relationships.

Presently, he is completing a manuscript with Routledge, Environmental Justice as Environmental Ethics: A New Introduction; and his book Extending Environmental Justice: From Equity to Identity and Beyond. He continues current work on exploring environmental identity and autism pertaining to political advocacy and empathy. With co-author Gordon Waitt at the University of Wollongong, their continued work on moral terrains maintains advocacy for self-determination for the Anangu people in the their struggle to end disrespectful climb on Uluru. Rob and Gordon are also researching the moral terrains of energy justice in Australia.

With tremendous privilege, Rob also continues engagement through his various projects and active involvement among the OSU Philosophy faculty and students committed to engaged philosophy.