Education

• Ph.D., Geography, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
• M.Sc., Environmental Monitoring, University of Wisconsin – Madison, U.S.A.
• B.A., American Studies (Durkin Prize in American Studies), Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

Research Interests

• Remote Sensing, GIS, and data management tools for conservation, natural resource management, agriculture, and urban development issues in developing and developed countries.
• Spatial analysis tools to aid climate change mitigation efforts.
• Spatial models to explain differing views of land cover and land use by policy makers and local people.
• Farming and agricultural system development and the impacts of these developments on land use/land cover, conservation efforts, biodiversity, and climate change.
• Land Tenure, cadastral systems, and land use/cover changes.

Professional Experience

• Research Fellow / Long Term Advisor , University Support for Environmental Planning & Management (USEPAM), Institute of Geography, University of Copenhagen, Ha noi Vietnam and Copenhagen, Denmark (2002–2007).
• Lecturer , Institute of Geography, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Copenhagen (2005).
• Researcher/Consultant , U Minh Thuong National Park/CARE International, Kien Giang and Ha noi, Vietnam (2000-2003).
• esearcher/Consultant , Center for Agricultural Research and Ecological Studies (CARES), Ha noi Agriculture University / Institute of Geography, University of Copenhagen, Ha noi, Vietnam (2002).
• Lecturer/Consultant , Environment Sector, Research Program East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawai‘i (2001).
• Researcher/Consultant , National University of Laos (NUOL) / Environment Sector, Research Program, East-West Center, Vien tiane, Laos (2001-2002).
• Technical Advisor , REPSI Project, University of Copenhagen / Department of Agro-Ecosystem Studies, Ha noi Agriculture University, Ha noi, Vietnam (2001).
• Researcher/Consultant , Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES), National University in Ha noi, Ha noi, Vietnam (2000).
• Monitoring and Evaluation / GIS Advisor , CARE International, Hanoi, Vietnam (1999-2000).
• Spatial Information Technology Specialist, East-West Center, Program on Environment, Honolulu, Ha waii (1997-1999).
• Spatial Information Technologies Analyst , GeoAnalytics, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin (1996-1997).
• Digital Photogrammetry Project Assistant , Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (1996).
• Research Assistant , The Land Tenure Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (1992-1993, 1994-1996).
• Research Team Leader , The University of Wisconsin Land Tenure Center’s Local Initiatives Study, USAID, Madagascar (1993-1994).
• Department Coordinator/Forestry Extension Agent , Departement des Eaux et Foret , Senegal , and the United States Peace Corps, Senegal (1986-1989).

Selected Publications

Padoch, C., K.Coffey, O.Mertz, R.L.Wadley, S.J.Leisz, J.Fox (2007). The Demise of Swidden in Southeast Asia: Local Realities and Regional Ambiguities. Danish Journal of Geography, June 2007.

Jakobsen, J, K.Rasmussen, S.Leisz, R.Folving and N.V.Quang (2006). The effects of land tenure policy on rural livelihoods and food sufficiency in the upland village of Que , north central Vietnam . Agricultural Systems (accepted 26 September 2006; web-published www.sciencedirect.com).

Jepsen, M.R., S. J. Leisz, K.Rasmussen, J.Jakobsen, L.Moller-Jensen and L.Christiansen (2006). Agent-based modeling of shifting cultivation field patterns, Vietnam. International Journal of Geographical Information Science 20(9): 1067-1085.

Vien,T.D., SJ. Leisz, N.T. Lam, A.T. Rambo (2006). Using Traditional Swidden Agriculture to Enhance Rural Livelihoods in Vietnam ’s Uplands. Mountain Research and Development 26(3): 192-196.

Leisz, Stephen J. , Nguyen thi Thu Ha, Nguyen thi Bich Yen, Nguyen Thanh Lam, Tran Duc Vien (2005). Developing a methodology for identifying, mapping and potentially monitoring the distribution of general farming system types in Vietnam ’s northern mountain region. Agricultural Systems 85: 340-363.

Leisz, S. and J. Gage (1995). Suggestions for Development/Conservation Research Needs in Madagascar . Society and Natural Resources 9(1): 97-100.

Leisz, S., A. Robles and J. Gage. Land and Natural Resource Tenure Security in Madagascar . The Land Tenure Center , The University of Wisconsin - Madison . Madison, Wisconsin. 1994.

This page last revised 25 June 2007