Bart H. Welling

Since coming to UNF in June, 2003, in the ancestral homeland of the Mocama people, I have taught everything from the introductory writing class ENC 1101 to seminars for graduate students. My teaching and research interests constellate around environmental writing, ecocriticism (Earth-oriented literary studies), the energy humanities, and animal studies. I am currently writing a book called Resisting Energy: The Long Struggle Against Irresponsible Power, which situates modern debates over fossil fuels and renewable energy systems in the context of authors' and activists' efforts to abolish racial slavery, stop the theft and abuse of Native lands--and the killing and exploitation of Native people--by colonists, and achieve a measure of justice for the workers who have been framed since the Industrial Revolution as disposable living machines. The book argues that we will need to rethink energy, including supposedly "clean" energy, from top to bottom if we want to build a livable future for human and nonhuman Earthlings. 

 

I am a committed bicycle commuter (even during the summer), a mediocre but improving classical guitarist, and the proud father of five wonderful kids, two of whom graduated from college in April, 2023 and two of whom are currently working on their undergraduate degrees.