- PhD, University of Vermont, Environment and Natural Resource
- MAE, California State University Monterey Bay
Area(s) of expertise
Agroecology education and pedagogy, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), participatory action research methodologies, program evaluation and assessment, consciousness-based approaches to systems change, regional food systems governance and policy, stakeholder engagement and collaborative learning, food systems transformation and sustainability.
BIO
Dr. Karen Nordstrom is a Research Assistant Professor in the Agriculture, Landscape and Environment Department and Research Affiliate at the University of Vermont's Institute for Agroecology. Her research focuses on three interconnected areas: regional governance of food systems, transformative agroecology education, and consciousness-based approaches to food systems change. Through participatory methodologies, she bridges research with practice to advance ecological resilience and social equity in food systems across New England.
At the UVM Institute for Agroecology, Dr. Nordstrom serves as Evaluation Director and Research Lead for the AX Summer Research Fellowship, a USDA-funded program supporting undergraduate research in agroecology. Her research applies the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) to examine how innovative pedagogical approaches create inclusive and collaborative learning environments. Her recent publications in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems highlight transformative approaches to undergraduate research and agroecology education.
Dr. Nordstrom's background includes Peace Corps service in El Salvador, extensive experience in bilingual K-12 garden-based education and teacher professional development, and policy work as Co-Director of Food Solutions New England's regional policy initiatives. She collaborates with diverse stakeholders—including farmers, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations—to craft integrated approaches to regional food systems challenges. Her work emphasizes stakeholder engagement, collaborative learning, and the integration of multiple ways of knowing to address complex food systems transformation.
Publications
Academic, Peer-Reviewed:
Nordstrom, K.L., Horner, C.E., Mendez, V.E., Izzo, V., Carpenter, N., Faulkner, J., Caswell, M. (2022) “An Undergraduate Research Fellows Program in Agroecology Engages Co-Learning through Participatory Action Research” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.
Horner, C.E., Morse, C., Carpenter, N., Nordstrom, K.L., Faulkner, J.W., Mares, T.M., Kinnebrew, E., Caswell, M., Izzo, V., Méndez, V.E., Lewins, S., McCune, N. (2021) “Cultivating pedagogy for transformative learning: A decade of undergraduate agroecology education” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.
Nordstrom, K.L. (2015) Pedagogical Praxis Models in Sustainability Education: A Focus on Food Systems and Environment. Unpublished dissertation thesis, University of Vermont.
Nordstrom, K.L. & Hughes, R. (2005) Application of Lesson Study to the Context of a Professional Development Summer Science Academy. Journal of Science Teacher Education (accepted).
Nordstrom, K.L. (2003) Lesson Study: The school garden as an integrating context for science and language learning. Unpublished master’s thesis, California State University, Monterey Bay.
Other
Kelly, T, K.L. Nordstrom, & S. Rogers. Seeding Food Systems Change. From the Ground Up. (Winter 2025)
Davenson, J., J. Snorek, & K.L. Nordstrom. From Extraction to Regeneration: a Just Transition Approach to Climate Resilience in the Food System. (Nov 13, 2024)
Nordstrom, K.L., J. Davenson, J. Snorek, et al. FSNE Policy Solutions Webinar. USDA Investments in Conservation and Climate Resilience: Assessing the impacts and advocating for the future. (February 23, 2024)
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Resilience from the Ground Up: New England Soil Health and Policy Action Update. (Oct 18, 2023)
Snorek, J., J. Davenson, H. Kelley, K.L. Nordstrom, & S. Rogers. A Just Transition in Agriculture and Soil Health for Regional Climate Resilience. (Aug 14, 2023)
Nordstrom, K.L. UNH SI Network News: FSNE’s Visionary Policy Program Adopts a Landscape/Seascape Approach (May 5, 2023)
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: New England, Global Priorities & a New National Strategy for Ending Hunger and Promoting Good Nutrition(October 6, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: What does the Inflation Reduction Act mean for New England’s Food System? (August 30, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Fair Play Required for Local and Regional Food Systems Transformation (June 2, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Across New England, Dockets Center Policy Priorities (May 2, 2022).
Bio
Dr. Karen Nordstrom is a Research Assistant Professor in the Agriculture, Landscape and Environment Department and Research Affiliate at the University of Vermont's Institute for Agroecology. Her research focuses on three interconnected areas: regional governance of food systems, transformative agroecology education, and consciousness-based approaches to food systems change. Through participatory methodologies, she bridges research with practice to advance ecological resilience and social equity in food systems across New England.
At the UVM Institute for Agroecology, Dr. Nordstrom serves as Evaluation Director and Research Lead for the AX Summer Research Fellowship, a USDA-funded program supporting undergraduate research in agroecology. Her research applies the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) to examine how innovative pedagogical approaches create inclusive and collaborative learning environments. Her recent publications in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems highlight transformative approaches to undergraduate research and agroecology education.
Dr. Nordstrom's background includes Peace Corps service in El Salvador, extensive experience in bilingual K-12 garden-based education and teacher professional development, and policy work as Co-Director of Food Solutions New England's regional policy initiatives. She collaborates with diverse stakeholders—including farmers, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations—to craft integrated approaches to regional food systems challenges. Her work emphasizes stakeholder engagement, collaborative learning, and the integration of multiple ways of knowing to address complex food systems transformation.
Publications
Academic, Peer-Reviewed:
Nordstrom, K.L., Horner, C.E., Mendez, V.E., Izzo, V., Carpenter, N., Faulkner, J., Caswell, M. (2022) “An Undergraduate Research Fellows Program in Agroecology Engages Co-Learning through Participatory Action Research” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.
Horner, C.E., Morse, C., Carpenter, N., Nordstrom, K.L., Faulkner, J.W., Mares, T.M., Kinnebrew, E., Caswell, M., Izzo, V., Méndez, V.E., Lewins, S., McCune, N. (2021) “Cultivating pedagogy for transformative learning: A decade of undergraduate agroecology education” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.
Nordstrom, K.L. (2015) Pedagogical Praxis Models in Sustainability Education: A Focus on Food Systems and Environment. Unpublished dissertation thesis, University of Vermont.
Nordstrom, K.L. & Hughes, R. (2005) Application of Lesson Study to the Context of a Professional Development Summer Science Academy. Journal of Science Teacher Education (accepted).
Nordstrom, K.L. (2003) Lesson Study: The school garden as an integrating context for science and language learning. Unpublished master’s thesis, California State University, Monterey Bay.
Other
Kelly, T, K.L. Nordstrom, & S. Rogers. Seeding Food Systems Change. From the Ground Up. (Winter 2025)
Davenson, J., J. Snorek, & K.L. Nordstrom. From Extraction to Regeneration: a Just Transition Approach to Climate Resilience in the Food System. (Nov 13, 2024)
Nordstrom, K.L., J. Davenson, J. Snorek, et al. FSNE Policy Solutions Webinar. USDA Investments in Conservation and Climate Resilience: Assessing the impacts and advocating for the future. (February 23, 2024)
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Resilience from the Ground Up: New England Soil Health and Policy Action Update. (Oct 18, 2023)
Snorek, J., J. Davenson, H. Kelley, K.L. Nordstrom, & S. Rogers. A Just Transition in Agriculture and Soil Health for Regional Climate Resilience. (Aug 14, 2023)
Nordstrom, K.L. UNH SI Network News: FSNE’s Visionary Policy Program Adopts a Landscape/Seascape Approach (May 5, 2023)
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: New England, Global Priorities & a New National Strategy for Ending Hunger and Promoting Good Nutrition(October 6, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: What does the Inflation Reduction Act mean for New England’s Food System? (August 30, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Fair Play Required for Local and Regional Food Systems Transformation (June 2, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Across New England, Dockets Center Policy Priorities (May 2, 2022).