John MacDougall

John MacDougall received a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University.  Before joining RESD, he taught in the Sociology Department at UML.  His areas of interest are the analysis of peace and conflict, environmental sustainability, and grassroots movements.  His published books include Land or Religion? Social Movements among the Adivasis of Bihar in the Late Nineteenth Century (New Delhi: Manohar Books, 1986) and (as co-editor) The Sociology of Peace and War: a Curriculum Guide (Washington DC: American Sociological Association).

He has published articles in such journals as International Social Movement Research, Journal of Voluntary Action Research, Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change, and Journal of General Education.  He worked as a community organizer and researcher in India in 1964-66.  He has also been a visiting faculty member at Semester at Sea, Tibilisi State University (former USSR) and Wheelock College.  

Dr. MacDougall is co-director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Institute (PACSI) at UML, which holds educational events on local, national and global issues.  Since 1996, PACSI has held annual Days Without Violence, on topics ranging from terrorism to domestic violence and environmental justice.  Some or these events have been designed for urban youth, in collaboration with youth agencies in greater Lowell.  In addition, Dr MacDougall coordinates the undergraduate minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. 

Dr MacDougall also co-directs Merrimack Valley 2050 (MV2050), a university-community partnership which promotes a sustainable region.  MV2050 has conducted sustainability indicators workshops in collaboration with community agencies, and participated in the design of Lowell’s pioneering Scenario Workshop, held in 2002 with support from the National Science Foundation.  Currently, MV2050 is focusing on trash and recycling issues.  Events on this topic have included training workshops for community leaders on meeting facilitation, a community forum on trash and recycling options for Lowell, and an America Recycles Day event highlighting major initiatives in Lowell.  For more details, click here www.ecommunity.uml.edu/mv2050.  

Dr. MacDougall has for many years been heavily involved in teaching service-learning courses.  In the RESD department, Dr MacDougall helped establish partnerships with university centers, government agencies and nonprofit groups to launch the capstone Project course in the Masters program.  In his Community Conflict Resolution and Social Movement and Empowerment graduate courses, students may choose a project involving volunteering for three-five hours a week. In 2003-4, Dr. MacDougall co-directed the Community Development Work-Study program for three RESD graduate students, funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.