Courtney Quinn

Assistant Professor, Sustainability Science

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Dr. Courtney Quinn joined the faculty in 2024 and has taught in the department since 2013. Dr. Quinn's interests lie in the intersection of sustainability and business, as well as sustainable farming and food systems. Dr. Quinn is committed to helping students realize how their unique skills, talents, and interests can help to create a sustainable planet. She works to foster a classroom environment that is simultaneously intellectually challenging and joyful.

Education

  • Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • M.S. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • B.A. in Environmental Policy, Drake University

Research

Dr. Quinn's research interests include; leadership (environmental, agricultural, sustainability, natural resources), food and farming issues, place attachment, and critical thinking development.

Publications

  • Quinn, C., Cohen, M. 2021, Using COVID-19 to Teach Sustainability Futures Thinking. In COVID-19: Paving the Way for a More Sustainable World Walter Leal Filho (Editor).
  • Quinn, C., Quinn, J.E., 2020, Sustainability Science in Concept and Practice: An Introduction to Human and Social Systems, Encyclopedia of the World Biomes. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Elsevier.
  • Quinn, J.E., Quinn, C., 2020, Coupled Human and Natural Systems: A Review and Anthrome Case Study, Encyclopedia of the World Biomes. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Elsevier.
  • Quinn, C., Lippert, C.* and McLean, S.*, 2019. A Place‐Based Investigation of the United Nations SDGs: Case Report on a Course Assignment for Undergraduate Sustainability Science Majors. Sustainability: The Journal of Record, 12(2), pp.124-128.
  • Allen, K.E., Quinn, C.E., English, C.* and Quinn, J.E., 2018. Relational values in agroecosystem governance. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 35, pp.108-115 doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2018.10.026
  • Wheeler, H.* and Quinn, C., 2017. Can Facebook Aid Sustainability? An Investigation of Empathy Expression within the Humans of New York Blog. Sustainability, 9(6), pp.1005.
  • Quinn, C.E. and Quinn, J.E., 2016. Building Resilience: Modeling Resilience Concepts Using Legos. In Learner-Centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies, pp. 51-56. Springer, Cham.
  • Quinn, C.E., Quinn, J.E. and Halfacre, A.C., 2015. Digging deeper: a case study of farmer conceptualization of ecosystem services in the American South. Environmental Management, 56(4), pp.802-813.
  • Quinn, C.E. and Halfacre, A.C., 2014. Place matters: an investigation of farmers' attachment to their land. Human Ecology Review, pp.117-132.
  • Quinn, C. and Matkin, G., 2013. Teaching Sustainability. Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education, 39(1).
  • Burbach, M.E., Matkin, G.S., Quinn, C.E., and Searle, T. 2012. The impact of preparing agriculture faculty to influence student critical thinking disposition. Journal of Agricultural Education, 53(2).
  • Quinn, C., Harding, H., and Matkin, G. 2011. Team-based learning for agricultural ethics. North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture Journal. 55(4), 91-96.
  • Quinn, C. and G. Matkin. 2011. Teaching Sustainability Leadership. In (Eds.) K. Bartels and K. Parker Teaching Sustainability and Teaching Sustainably. Stylus Publishing.
  • Tang, Z., Brody, S.D., Li, R., Quinn, C., and Zhao, N. 2011. Examining locally-driven climate change policy efforts in three pacific states. Ocean & Coastal Management, 54: 415-426.
  • Tang, Z., Wei, T., Quinn, C., Zhao, N., 2011. Surveying Local Planning Directors’ Actions for Climate Change. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 4(1): 81-103.
  • Flores, K., Matkin, G., Burbach, M., Quinn, C., and Harding, H. 2011. Deficient critical thinking skills among college graduates: Implications for leadership. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 44(2)212-230.
  • Quinn, C. and Burbach, M. 2010. A test of personal characteristics that influence farmer’s conservation practices. Great Plains Research, 20(2): 193-204.
  • Tang, Z., Brody, S.D., Quinn, C., Chang, L., and Wei, T. 2010. Moving from agenda to action: Evaluating local climate change action plans. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 53(1): 41-62.
  • Quinn, C., Burbach, M., Matkin, G., and Flores, K. 2009. Critical thinking for natural resource, agricultural, and environmental ethics education. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, 38: 221–227.
  • Quinn, C. and Quinn, J.E. 2009. The great Patagonia land grab: A case study on international biodiversity, conservation and environmental politics. The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, State University of New York at Buffalo.
  • Quinn, C. and Burbach, M. 2008. Personal characteristics preceding pro-environmental behaviors that improve surface water quality. Great Plains Research, 18(1):103-114.
  • Shulman S., Katz, J., Quinn, C., and Srivastava, P. 2005. Empowering environmentally-burdened communities in the US: A primer on the emerging role for information technology. Local Environment, 10:5 501–512.

Additional Professional Activity

Dr. Quinn co-founded the Sustainability Leadership Initiative in 2021. The SLI program brings together business and conservation leaders from across South Carolina for a six-session annual program. This innovative leadership development program uses cross-boundary dialogue, field sessions, and experiential learning to enhance skills and equip fellows to enact positive change in their organizations and communities. Fellows have come from businesses such as Boeing, Bp, BMW, Coca-Cola, Duke Energy, Audubon, and the Nature Conservancy.

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