California Institute of Integral Studies

Graduate Student, Transformative Studies

About

I am a PhD candidate in CIIS' Transformative Studies program. My research interests include experiential learning, 2nd order cybernetics, biosemiotics, inter-species communication, integral theory, systems theory, complexity, the life and thought of Gregory Bateson, and the transformative potential of the horse-human relationship.

My dissertation is an attempt to develop an integral model of horse-human relationship, using Ken Wilber's Integral Methodological Pluralism framework, and integrating theories from (cyber)biosemiotics, Gregory Bateson's theories on communication and learning, Maturana and Varela's ideas of the self-organization capacity of systems, and the work of leading ethologists and animal ethicists.

I studied equine-facilitated experiential learning (EFEL) with Linda Kohanov, and I have an advanced certification in the Epona method of EFEL practice. The focus of my workshops and individual sessions is exploring personal transformation and creative expression through the connection with horses.

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