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David Russell Ader

Research Asst Prof/Assistant Director | Smith International Center
Overview

Dr. Dave works as an interdisciplinary scholar in the fields of sustainable agriculture and rural development. He currently works as the Assistant Director and Research Assistant Professor in the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Tennessee. His expertise and research interests include population dynamics of rural communities, sustainable agriculture development for smallholder farmers, and nutrition sensitive agricultural approaches for development. Ader holds a dual Ph.D from Penn State University in Rural Sociology and Demography. His current research focuses on rural communities in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central America.

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 | Gill, Tom

Semesters Offered: Fall
AGNR 491 - International Experience in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 - 12 credit hours

Credit for formalized international experiences related to agricultural sciences and natural resources. Determination of credit based on nature of the proposed experience. Students should discuss the opportunity with their faculty advisors prior to the trip to determine if it is appropriate for credit. Credit hours will be determined by the department and college depending on the extent of activity and types of projects and/or presentations to be completed by the student upon return.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Walton, Jonathan | Boyer, Chris | Kojima, Cheryl Jean | Kojima, Freddie Naoto | Sorochan, John Charles | Pulte, Andy | Willcox, Adam Sage | Pekarcik, Gracie

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Winter Mini
ALEC 483 - International Agriculture Education and Extension Systems
3 credit hour(s)

This course introduces students to international agriculture education and Extension systems. These systems contain and influence the ability of countries to conduct research, educate the workforce, and disseminate information about agriculture in order to produce enough of the right food to feed the world. This course emphasizes the connectedness of cultural, political, economic, historical, and natural factors that drive contemporary innovations and policy in international agriculture education and Extension systems. This course serves to help broaden the experience for students considering international careers in agricultural education or Extension.

Semesters Offered: Spring
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: Gill, Tom

Semesters Offered: Fall
ALEC 530 - Specials Topics in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
1 - 3 credit hours

Current issues.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Stephens, Carrie Ann | Richards, Jennifer Kathryn

Semesters Offered: Spring
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: Gill, Tom

Semesters Offered: Fall
Picture of David Russell Ader

865-974-7747

dader@tennessee.edu

101D McCord Hall
2640 Morgan Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • PhD, Rural Sociology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2013
  • PhD, Demography and Population Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 2013
  • MS, International Development, University of York, 2006

David Russell Ader

Research Asst Prof/Assistant Director | Smith International Center
Picture of David Russell Ader image

865-974-7747

dader@tennessee.edu

101D McCord Hall
2640 Morgan Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • PhD, Rural Sociology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2013
  • PhD, Demography and Population Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 2013
  • MS, International Development, University of York, 2006
Overview

Dr. Dave works as an interdisciplinary scholar in the fields of sustainable agriculture and rural development. He currently works as the Assistant Director and Research Assistant Professor in the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Tennessee. His expertise and research interests include population dynamics of rural communities, sustainable agriculture development for smallholder farmers, and nutrition sensitive agricultural approaches for development. Ader holds a dual Ph.D from Penn State University in Rural Sociology and Demography. His current research focuses on rural communities in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central America.

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 | Gill, Tom

Semesters Offered: Fall
AGNR 491 - International Experience in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 - 12 credit hours

Credit for formalized international experiences related to agricultural sciences and natural resources. Determination of credit based on nature of the proposed experience. Students should discuss the opportunity with their faculty advisors prior to the trip to determine if it is appropriate for credit. Credit hours will be determined by the department and college depending on the extent of activity and types of projects and/or presentations to be completed by the student upon return.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Walton, Jonathan | Boyer, Chris | Kojima, Cheryl Jean | Kojima, Freddie Naoto | Sorochan, John Charles | Pulte, Andy | Willcox, Adam Sage | Pekarcik, Gracie

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Winter Mini
ALEC 483 - International Agriculture Education and Extension Systems
3 credit hour(s)

This course introduces students to international agriculture education and Extension systems. These systems contain and influence the ability of countries to conduct research, educate the workforce, and disseminate information about agriculture in order to produce enough of the right food to feed the world. This course emphasizes the connectedness of cultural, political, economic, historical, and natural factors that drive contemporary innovations and policy in international agriculture education and Extension systems. This course serves to help broaden the experience for students considering international careers in agricultural education or Extension.

Semesters Offered: Spring
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: Gill, Tom

Semesters Offered: Fall
ALEC 530 - Specials Topics in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
1 - 3 credit hours

Current issues.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Stephens, Carrie Ann | Richards, Jennifer Kathryn

Semesters Offered: Spring
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: Gill, Tom

Semesters Offered: Fall