Social Sciences

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Jeff is currently a visiting assistant professor at Michigan Technological University in the Department of Social Sciences and teaches American Government, a section of Perspectives on Inquiry focusing on Endangered Species, and Environmental Problems.

He successfully defended his dissertation, tentatively titled "Analysis and Evaluation of the Laurentian Great Lakes Fishery Management Legal Framework," in July, 2006.   His dissertation outlined the gaps, overlaps, and conflicts in the laws and management authorities of the multiple jurisdictions with authority over Great Lakes fisheries. Data collection consisted of a review of the legal framework surrounding Great Lakes fisheries management, specifically, the constitutions, case law, and inter-jurisdictional agreements. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fishery managers to obtain their perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of the current legal framework.  This research was funded by a grant from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

He also studied the Public Trust Doctrine, a legal doctrine originating in Rome that was passed through England to the U.S. and Canada. It provides that the people of a particular jurisdiction own in common the navigable waters within its borders. And because of this common ownership, governments  have a responsibility to protect those resources for the benefit of the public.

Jeff recently co-published an article with Tracy Dobson on this topic entitled "The Public Trust Doctrine and Sustainable Ecosystems: A Great Lakes Fisheries Case Study" in New York University Environmental Law Journal 14(2): 322-373 (2006).