Dr. Ariell Ahearn

Biography

Ariell Ahearn is a Departmental Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Oxford's School of Geography and the Environment. Prior to this role, she served as a Course Director for the MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance and held an ESRC-GCRF postdoctoral fellowship. Ariell completed her DPhil in Geography in February 2016, focusing on ethnography related to governance and pastoralism in rural Mongolia. With a BA in Anthropology from Hartwick College and an MPA from Cornell University, Ariell has worked extensively on land use and rural development issues in Mongolia since 2004. Her research centers on understanding the socio-economic changes driven by megaprojects and infrastructure investments, particularly regarding mobile pastoralists and their rights. Ariell's work emphasizes qualitative, participatory methods, documenting and analyzing the conditions that inform human decision-making and organizational strategies. Additionally, Ariell is actively involved in developing the field of pastoralism in Asia and the Middle East through workshops and conferences, while also supervising master's students and teaching courses related to Environmental Governance and Development. Her commitment to research and teaching is anchored in a collaborative approach that engages with practitioners and scholars across disciplines.

Research Interests