Lesley L. Daspit

Dr. Lesley Daspit is an environmental anthropologist who is trained in both biological and cultural anthropology as well as psychology, forestry, and conservation biology. Her research and teaching explore topics in political ecology, sustainability, international development, food security and politics, and human–wildlife interactions with geographic specialization in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her scholarship is rooted in long-term fieldwork in Central Africa, where she has examined the gendered dimensions of wildlife commerce and conservation, indigenous knowledge of forest ecologies, and the intersection of local livelihoods with global environmental policy. Dr. Daspit integrates cross-cultural and interdisciplinary perspectives into her teaching and research, bridging anthropology, international studies, and global development practice.

To learn more about her research and scholarship, click the Scholars@UNCW link.

Education

PhD in Anthropology, Purdue University
M.S. in Experimental Psychology & Primate Behavior, Central Washington University
B.A. in Anthropology, University of Texas at Arlington

Specialization in Teaching

INT 230 Sustainability: From Global Goals to Local Actions
INT 314 International NGOs, Globalization, & Development
INT 331 The New Scramble for Africa
INT 332 The Global Politics of Food
INT 333 China in Africa

Research Interests

Political Ecology; Human-Wildlife Interactions; Bushmeat Trade; Sustainable Development; NGOs and Global Governance; Political Economy of Food; Rainforest Economies; Sub-Saharan Africa

Professional Service

WILDMEAT Project, Database Contributor (2024)
Rights and Resources Initiative, Consultant (2015; 2017; 2025)

Community Engagement

USA Boxing, Volunteer Official (2022-present)
Church World Services, Volunteer (2024-present)
Coastal Carolina United Nations Association, Board Member (2019-2021)
The Full Belly Project, Board Member & Chair (2017-2020)

Honors & Awards

Applied Learning Pedagogy Initiatives Award, UNCW (2023)
Applied Learning and Community Engagement Pedagogy Initiatives Award, UNCW (2021)
Lecturer of the Year, UNCW (2018)
Global Citizenship Grant, UNCW (2018)
Excellence in Teaching Award, Richland College (2014)