E. Christopher Mare

Christopher Mare’s academic career began in 1993 with his first Permaculture Design Course. Inspired by the multidisciplinary sustainability philosophy of designing human systems modeled after natural systems, he decided to enter university to formalize this type of education. Integrating travel to study at the world’s premier models, he completed a transdisciplinary BA entitled “Village Design: Ekistics for the 21st Century”—the world’s first formal degree devoted to EcoVillage Design. From there, he obtained an MA from Antioch University Seattle’s Whole Systems Design program and completed earned his PhD at Fielding Graduate University with a dissertation entitled “Designing for Consciousness: Towards a Theory of Environmental Design Using Neurophenomenology as Methodology.” During his doctoral days Christo participated in the founding of Gaia Education, the educational arm of the Global EcoVillage Network, and became their Curriculum Coordinator, a position which morphed into Program Development Coordinator. He am currently enjoying the most satisfying days of his academic career as a doctoral student in the Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion program at California Institute of Integral Studies.