SA
Sheila Marie Aird
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Biography
Sheila Marie Aird, PhD is European Director of International Programs for Empire State University and oversees the American delivered programs at the university’s four international locations. Dr. Aird is also an associate professor at the university. She received her Ph.D. in Latin and Caribbean History and MA in history from Howard University. During her final year of research at Howard University, she was awarded the prestigious Sasakawa Fellowship from the Nippon Foundation in Japan. Dr. Aird also holds a BA in Anthropology and a MA in Anthropology with a focus on Historical Archeology from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Dr. Aird considers herself a cultural historian and is most interested in public scholarship in its many forms. Her passion lies in making historical and cultural moments come alive while educating the public through the medium of documentary and film, photography and museum exhibits. Her areas of interests and focus include Digital Storytelling, Public History, children of colonial enslavement, Critical Race theory and issues of race in the African Diaspora community. Dr. Aird has presented on her work both domestically and internationally. Presently, Dr. Aird is working on two projects. One focuses on women in California who are changing their lives with the help of a community. The other project co-developed from an Oral History Association Emerging Crisis research grant with a colleague, focuses on the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and Irma. The project will offer first- hand accounts from the citizens most impacted in Puerto Rico and St. Thomas V.I. and will include the environmental, social and cultural impact on the most vulnerable citizens impacted by one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the islands in 2017.