Adjunct Faculty, Earlham School of Religion,United States
Cherice Bock is a scholar and advocate at the intersection of spirituality and environmental sustainability. With a deep commitment to ecospirituality and climate justice, she is currently a Climate Policy Manager at 350PDX in Portland, OR, and an adjunct professor of Spirituality & Ecospirituality at the Earlham School of Religion. Her research and teaching explore the connections between faith, ecological action, and environmental policy. Bock holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England and has extensive experience in academic and nonprofit sectors. She has contributed to several publications on ecotheology, creation care, and sustainable faith practices. Her academic work integrates theology, environmental science, and spiritual practices to address the urgent ecological challenges of our time. Cherice’s diverse experience and dedication to environmental advocacy make her a leading voice in ecospirituality and climate justice.
Profile
Strengths for the Award
- Strong Educational Foundation: The individual holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England (2024), complemented by an M.S. in the same field (2018), which demonstrates significant expertise in environmental studies. This, combined with degrees in theology (M.Div., 2009) and psychology (B.A., 2001), reflects a diverse, multidisciplinary academic background that integrates environmental science with spirituality, ethics, and human psychology.
- Extensive Teaching Experience: The individual has extensive teaching experience across a wide range of institutions, including prominent positions at Earlham School of Religion, University of Portland, George Fox University, and others. The variety of courses taught (e.g., Spirituality & the Mystics, Ecospirituality, Environmental Justice, Introduction to Environmental Science) highlights their broad intellectual reach, especially in the interdisciplinary integration of theology, environmental studies, and spirituality. This experience speaks to their ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to students and mentor future scholars.
- Research and Publication: The individual has contributed significantly to academic research and publication, as evidenced by their book chapters such as “Quaker Pneumatology” in the T and T Clark Handbook of Pneumatology and “Watershed Discipleship: Communicating Climate Change Within a Christian Framework” in Climate Change Management. These contributions are particularly notable for integrating climate change communication with religious and theological frameworks, demonstrating a novel approach to addressing ecological crises.
- Leadership in Climate Advocacy and Ecospirituality: The individual has played a leadership role in multiple organizations, including as the Climate Policy Manager for 350PDX, where they have been involved in environmental advocacy, climate policy, and interfaith initiatives. Their work as a Creation Justice Advocate at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Oregon Interfaith Power & Light further demonstrates their commitment to environmental justice from both a faith-based and policy perspective. This combination of environmental activism and spiritual leadership is a rare and valuable strength.
- Recognition and Fellowships: They have received numerous prestigious fellowships, including the GreenFaith Fellowship and the Re:Generate Fellowship. These accolades demonstrate recognition from leading institutions in the fields of faith, environmental stewardship, and leadership.
- Contributions to Quaker Thought: As a Quaker Scholar, their work, such as their lectures on “Better Together with the Community of Creation” and involvement in various Quaker residencies, illustrates a deep commitment to integrating Quaker theology with contemporary environmental issues. Their research and advocacy work position them as a thought leader in ecospirituality, particularly within the Quaker tradition.
Areas for Improvement
- Wider Public Engagement: While the individual has demonstrated excellence in academia and faith-based advocacy, there may be an opportunity to engage more extensively with a broader public audience. Their expertise in ecospirituality and environmental policy could be better showcased through popular publications, media appearances, or community-based outreach initiatives that bring these ideas to wider audiences outside of academia and faith communities.
- Broader Research Dissemination: Although they have contributed to significant academic works, further efforts to disseminate research in peer-reviewed journals or through collaborative interdisciplinary research projects would enhance their visibility in the global research community. Expanding their research portfolio to include more empirical studies and case studies could deepen their impact in both the environmental science and theology fields.
- Research Funding: While they have received grants and fellowships, pursuing more targeted funding opportunities for large-scale research projects, particularly those that merge environmental science with spirituality or theology, could strengthen their research capacity and enable them to make an even greater impact on global climate policy discussions.
Education
Cherice Bock holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England (2024), where she has focused on integrating spirituality and environmental sustainability. She also earned an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the same institution in 2018. Prior to her environmental studies, she completed a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at Princeton Theological Seminary in 2009, where she specialized in the intersection of faith and ecological justice. Her undergraduate degree in Psychology from George Fox University (2001) provided her with a foundation in human behavior and mental health, which she has applied to her work in spiritual formation and eco-psychology. Bock’s academic background combines theology, psychology, and environmental science, offering a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the complex issues of climate change, faith, and ecological restoration.
Experience
Cherice Bock has a diverse career in both academia and activism, with a focus on ecospirituality and climate policy. She currently serves as the Climate Policy Manager at 350PDX in Portland, OR, where she advocates for policies addressing climate change. As an adjunct professor, Bock teaches courses on spirituality and ecospirituality at Earlham School of Religion and has taught Environmental Studies and Theology at the University of Portland. She has been deeply involved in faith-based environmental activism, serving as a Creation Justice Advocate with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Bock’s work also extends to curriculum development, having edited the Illuminate Friends Bible Study Curriculum for Barclay Press. Her role as a tutor at Woodbrooke Quaker Learning & Research Organization further demonstrates her commitment to educational leadership. Bock’s experience uniquely positions her as a leader in the integration of spiritual practice and environmental action.
Awards and Honors
Cherice Bock has received numerous prestigious awards and fellowships in recognition of her contributions to ecospirituality, climate justice, and faith-based environmental advocacy. She was named a Quaker Lecturer in 2022 for her work on creation care and spirituality, and served as Friend in Residence for North Pacific Yearly Meeting in 2021. In 2018, she was a Research Fellow in the Creation Care Program at Portland Seminary, where she focused on sustainable faith practices. Bock has also been a Scholar in Residence at the Center for Christian Studies and Quaker Heritage Day. Her work has been supported by grants such as the Clarence & Lily Pickett Endowment for Quaker Leadership and GreenFaith Fellowship. Through these honors, Bock has gained recognition as a leader in the integration of theology and environmental justice, influencing both academic and activist communities.
Research Focus
Cherice Bock’s research focuses on the intersection of spirituality and environmental sustainability, with an emphasis on ecospirituality and climate justice. Her work explores how religious and spiritual practices can inspire ecological awareness and motivate environmental action. She is particularly interested in the role of Christian theology and faith-based communities in addressing climate change and creation care. Her research includes examining mystical experiences and ecojustice within religious contexts, as well as developing educational frameworks that help individuals and communities navigate the ecological crisis from a faith-based perspective. Bock’s focus also includes eco-theology, spiritual formation, and environmental policy. Her goal is to bridge the gap between spiritual beliefs and environmental practices, helping to create more sustainable, faith-driven responses to climate challenges. Through her academic work and activism, Bock seeks to advance restorative justice for the environment.
Publications
- Quaker Pneumatology – T and T Clark Handbook of Pneumatology (2020), pp. 235–242 🌿
- Watershed Discipleship: Communicating Climate Change Within a Christian Framework: A Case Study Analysis – Climate Change Management (2018), pp. 161–182 🌍
Conclusion
The individual is a highly deserving candidate for the “Best Researcher Award” based on their impressive academic credentials, significant teaching and leadership roles, and groundbreaking research at the intersection of environmental studies and spirituality. Their interdisciplinary approach to climate advocacy, combined with a deep commitment to faith-based action, positions them as a unique and influential voice in both academic and activist circles.While there is room for growth in terms of public engagement and broader research dissemination, their current body of work and recognized leadership in both environmental and theological circles demonstrate the potential for further contributions that will have a lasting impact on the fields of ecospirituality and environmental policy.In conclusion, this candidate not only fulfills but exceeds the qualifications typically required for the “Best Researcher Award” through their academic achievements, innovative research contributions, and ongoing leadership in environmental advocacy and ecospirituality.