SFFGS welcomes Dr. Yue Li, Assistant Professor of Environmental Education

Dr. Yue Li joined SFFGS in 2025 as Assistant Professor of Environmental Education.

The School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS) is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Yue Li, Assistant Professor of Environmental Education. Dr. Li comes to FFGS from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she was an assistant professor in the School of Education. She earned her Ph.D. in environmental education from Cornell University in 2017.

Dr. Li’s research explores nature-based education, professional development for environmental educators, and integrating AI into STEM learning and teaching.

Dr. Li credits her interest in the natural world to her childhood years in Yunnan, China. She spent much of her time outdoors, exploring around her family’s mountain home. As a graduate student studying natural resources at Beijing Normal University, Dr. Li volunteered at the Jane Goodall Institute, where she taught high school students about environmental issues, from endangered species to moon bear farming, energy consumption and global warming. This shaped her interest in environmental education and set her on a course to pursue her doctoral degree in the United States.

Dr. Li entered her doctoral program at Cornell University in 2011. There, she refined her research interests and embarked on several projects focused on the professional development of those working in environmental education and conservation outreach roles. She also became particularly interested in the role of online learning and social networks in environmental education.

Photo of Dr. Li and her family
Dr. Li and her family snap a photo outside Newins-Ziegler Hall.

At SFFGS, Dr. Li will pursue research related to technology in environmental education; for example, she will explore how educators use generative AI to develop lesson plans for teaching children about conservation.

She and her family moved to Gainesville from Wisconsin in December 2024, and Dr. Li officially joined FFGS in January 2025. She will begin teaching classes in fall 2025.

Dr. Li and her family are looking forward to exploring Florida’s parks and beaches. They are especially eager for their first alligator sighting!

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Posted: January 22, 2025


Category: Academics, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Environmental Education, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences


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