Person

Tom Gill

Assoc Professor & Chair | Smith International Center
Overview

Tom Gill joined the University of Tennessee in 2015 as the Smith Chair in International Sustainable Agriculture. In this role, he leads the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture, providing vision and opportunities​ for globalizing all facets of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Gill serves on the UTIA Executive Committee and is currently the International Agriculture Section's (of APLU) representative to the Committee on Legislation and Policy, working on public and land-grant university priorities for the next Farm Bill.



Research Questions
  • How do we nourish the world's growing population while simultaneously restoring the planet and its resources on which we depend?
  • What is the role of the smallholder producer in the global food system? And what determines the decisions made by rural smallholder households in their agricultural systems?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
AGNR 180 - Global Dynamics: Food, Biodiversity, and the Environment
3 credit hour(s)

By 2050, we will be challenged to feed the 9 billion inhabitants of planet Earth. We are charged to accomplish this sustainably while conserving water, atmospheric, and biodiversity resources to maintain healthy ecosystem functions. This course introduces global agriculture and natural resources issues, focusing on the connectedness of cultural, political, historical, and natural factors that drive contemporary innovations and policy in food production and conservation. Students will foster an appreciation for international agriculture and natural resources that empowers students to engage in international activities and make informed consumer and policy choices. May be used as the introductory course option for the minor in International Agriculture and Natural Resources. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (GCI) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (SS).

Other Instructors: Willcox, Adam Sage | Ader, David Russell

ALEC 485 - Global Sustainable Development Goals
3 credit hour(s)

The United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were adopted in 2015 and provide a framework and direction for all countries of the world towards 17 common global goals. The SDGs are goals towards which our global society has agreed and outline high-level targets in all spheres of human interaction with each other and the planet. This course will provide a transdisciplinary introduction and assessment of these global SDGs. The course will present each of the SDGs, look at global progress towards each SDG, and provide opportunities for students to explore the synergies of the SDGs. While emphasis will be placed on the global nature of the SDGs, this course will provide students with the opportunities to reflect on these goals and participate in multidisciplinary teams to develop action plans for addressing multiple SDGs as individuals and for the UT community. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (EI) (GCI)

Other Instructors: Ader, David Russell

ALEC 585 - Global Sustainable Development Goals
3 credit hour(s)

The United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were adopted in 2015 and provide a framework and direction for all countries of the world towards 17 common global goals. The SDGs are goals towards which our global society has agreed and outline high-level targets in all spheres of human interaction with each other and the planet. Will provide a transdisciplinary introduction and assessment of these global SDGs. Will present each of the SDGs, look at global progress towards each SDG, and provide opportunities for students to explore the synergies of the SDGs. While emphasis will be placed on the global nature of the SDGs, this course will provide students with the opportunities to reflect on these goals and participate in multidisciplinary teams to develop action plans for addressing multiple SDGs as individuals and for the UT community.

Other Instructors: Ader, David Russell

Picture of Tom Gill
101 McCord Hall
2640 Morgan Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • PhD, Interdisciplinary Ecology, University of Florida, 2010
  • MA, Geography, University of Cambridge, U.K., 2005
  • MS, Tropical Agricultural Development, University of Reading, U.K., 2003
  • BA, Geography, University of Cambridge, U.K., 2001
Web Presence

Tom Gill

Assoc Professor & Chair | Smith International Center
Picture of Tom Gill image
101 McCord Hall
2640 Morgan Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • PhD, Interdisciplinary Ecology, University of Florida, 2010
  • MA, Geography, University of Cambridge, U.K., 2005
  • MS, Tropical Agricultural Development, University of Reading, U.K., 2003
  • BA, Geography, University of Cambridge, U.K., 2001
Overview

Tom Gill joined the University of Tennessee in 2015 as the Smith Chair in International Sustainable Agriculture. In this role, he leads the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture, providing vision and opportunities​ for globalizing all facets of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Gill serves on the UTIA Executive Committee and is currently the International Agriculture Section's (of APLU) representative to the Committee on Legislation and Policy, working on public and land-grant university priorities for the next Farm Bill.



Research Questions
  • How do we nourish the world's growing population while simultaneously restoring the planet and its resources on which we depend?
  • What is the role of the smallholder producer in the global food system? And what determines the decisions made by rural smallholder households in their agricultural systems?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
AGNR 180 - Global Dynamics: Food, Biodiversity, and the Environment
3 credit hour(s)

By 2050, we will be challenged to feed the 9 billion inhabitants of planet Earth. We are charged to accomplish this sustainably while conserving water, atmospheric, and biodiversity resources to maintain healthy ecosystem functions. This course introduces global agriculture and natural resources issues, focusing on the connectedness of cultural, political, historical, and natural factors that drive contemporary innovations and policy in food production and conservation. Students will foster an appreciation for international agriculture and natural resources that empowers students to engage in international activities and make informed consumer and policy choices. May be used as the introductory course option for the minor in International Agriculture and Natural Resources. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (GCI) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (SS).

Other Instructors: Willcox, Adam Sage | Ader, David Russell

ALEC 485 - Global Sustainable Development Goals
3 credit hour(s)

The United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were adopted in 2015 and provide a framework and direction for all countries of the world towards 17 common global goals. The SDGs are goals towards which our global society has agreed and outline high-level targets in all spheres of human interaction with each other and the planet. This course will provide a transdisciplinary introduction and assessment of these global SDGs. The course will present each of the SDGs, look at global progress towards each SDG, and provide opportunities for students to explore the synergies of the SDGs. While emphasis will be placed on the global nature of the SDGs, this course will provide students with the opportunities to reflect on these goals and participate in multidisciplinary teams to develop action plans for addressing multiple SDGs as individuals and for the UT community. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (EI) (GCI)

Other Instructors: Ader, David Russell

ALEC 585 - Global Sustainable Development Goals
3 credit hour(s)

The United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were adopted in 2015 and provide a framework and direction for all countries of the world towards 17 common global goals. The SDGs are goals towards which our global society has agreed and outline high-level targets in all spheres of human interaction with each other and the planet. Will provide a transdisciplinary introduction and assessment of these global SDGs. Will present each of the SDGs, look at global progress towards each SDG, and provide opportunities for students to explore the synergies of the SDGs. While emphasis will be placed on the global nature of the SDGs, this course will provide students with the opportunities to reflect on these goals and participate in multidisciplinary teams to develop action plans for addressing multiple SDGs as individuals and for the UT community.

Other Instructors: Ader, David Russell

Web Presence