Jonathan E. Robins

Recent Publications

Recent Funding

Aluminum Critical Mineral Production via Landfill Mining: Environmental, Community, and Technical Feasibility for Integrated Multi-Material Resource Recovery, Department of Energy (co-PI with PI Paul Sanders and co-PI Tim Eisele, 2023-2026)
University of Connecticut Humanities Institute visiting fellow (2018-2019)
American Philosophical Society-British Academy Joint Fellow (2018)
Cornell College of Human Ecology Dean's Fellowship (2016)
Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning Blended Learning Grant: "Global Issues Blended Learning Initiative" (January 2015), with Don LaFreniere.

Presentations

"Oil Palms at the End of Empire," Robinson Business History Conference, Portland State University, 2022
“Suited to Malaya? Origins of the Oil Palm Industry in Colonial Malaysia.” American Society for Environmental History conference, Riverside, CA, March 2018.
“Nucleus Estates and Pioneer Mills: Models for Development in the Oil Palm Industry.” African Studies Association conference, Chicago, November 2017.

Research Projects

Landfill Mining: this DOE-funded project examines the possibilities for extracting aluminum and other materials from landfill sites.
Oil palm in the 20th century: this project builds on my recent book, Oil Palm: a Global History. It will explore USAID and other US government support for oil palm in Latin America and beyond, and compare successful models for oil palm development globally.
Chaga: history, culture, and commercialization of a foraged fungus
Forgotten Fibers: an exploration of natural fibers like abaca, kapok, henequen, and hemp that were vital in modern industry and warfare but swiftly abandoned after the advent of nylon, polyester, and other synthetic materials.
Swamp, trees, and peat soils: exploring small- and large-scale exploitation of wetland tree spaces and peatlands.

Courses taught

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