Dr. Michael Charles

Areas of Expertise

•  Research interest in bringing ecosystems into the design and decision-making of technical systems while exploring how to use academic research to impact social, political, and ethical issues
• Other passions lie in working to increase the diversity and representation of minority groups in STEM education, along with working with gifted and talents students through their pre-college education.

Education

• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, PhD., The Ohio State University
• Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Cornell University.

"Traditional science and the wisdom of tribal peoples can be complementary systems of knowledge, not competing. Scientists can learn from indigenous people who live in extreme climates to understand how they manage and provide food in typically-ignored regions like deserts or tundra without producing the emissions associated with the life cycle of industrial agriculture." 

Ongoing Newark Earthwork's Center's Research

• Stepping Out and Stepping Up: The Land-Grant Truth and Reconciliation Project
  • Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone and Stepping Up to Our Responsibilities
• "Toward Truth and Reconciliation: Present-Day Indigenous Peoples in Ohio"

Research

• Beyond a Land Acknowledgement: Recognizing Shortcomings, Mobilizing Possibilities Panel February 3, 2021. YouTube.
  • Michael Charles (Diné | Navajo Nation [external link] ), Doctoral Candidate,
  • Shannon Gonzales-Miller (Southern Ute- not enrolled), PhD,
  • Melissa Jacob (Citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), PhD.,
  • Timothy San Pedro, PhD.,
  • Deondre Smiles (Leach Lake Band, Ojibwe), PhD.
• “Let Us Tell the Story of Our Land and Place: Tribal Leader Interviews Concerning the Seizure and Sale of Territories Benefiting Land-Grant Universities."
  • Williams, R. B., Gavazzi, S. M., Roberts, M. E., Snyder, B. W., Low, J. N., Hoy, C., Chaatsmith, M. L., and Charles, M. Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education. Volume  33, No. 4- Summer 2022.
• "Roundtable One | On Indigenous Studies Webinar", March 11, 2022.
  • Michael Charles (Diné | Navajo Nation) | Postdoctoral Researcher, Newark Earthworks Center; Gregorio Gonzales | Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Comparative Studies; Moderator: Melissa Curley | Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Studies; Moderator: John Low (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) | Director of Newark Earthworks Center
• "Searching for Sustainable Solutions in the Face of Injustice" at Cop26 in Glasgow.
  • Michael Charles (Diné | Navajo Nation) , November 22, 2021.
• "How science can benefit by incorporating indigenous knowledge"
  • The Ohio State University College of Engineering. February 1, 2021.
• "Raising Indigenous Voices: Tomorrow's Leader Act At U.N. Climate Talks"
  • Winds of Change, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, April 1, 2018.
• "Bringing Community and Indigeneity to COP23"
  • SustainUS, October 9, 2017.
• "Indigeneity and Identity: The Complexities Behind COP"
  • Torrey House Press, October 27, 2017.