Rebecca Zarger

Grants and Awards

My research activities include individual and collaborative, interdisciplinary projects in Belize, Tampa Bay, and other locations in the Southeastern U.S. and Caribbean.

2022-2027        NSF Large-Scale CoPe HUB: Coastlines and People, “Strong Coasts: Equitable Solutions for People and Nature,” Large-scale CoPe: Reducing Climate Risks with Equitable Nature-based Solutions: Engaging Communities on Reef-Lined Coasts. Maya Trotz, PI (USF-lead institution), Rebecca Zarger, Co-PI, (USF-lead institution), Michael Beck (Co-PI, UC Santa Cruz), Marilyn Brandt (Co-PI, University of the Virgin Islands), $20 million. USF Anthropology sub-award: $800,000.

 

2022-2025        Frank Muller-Karger (PI), Co-PIs: Rebecca Zarger, Dorton, C. Simoniello, J. Kilborn; “Climate Change Indicators Across the National Marine Sanctuaries System.” Submitted to NOAA, October 2021. NOAA-OAR-CPO-2022-2006799. Start date: Aug 2022-Aug 2025. $750,000. Funded.

 

2022-2024        NSF “Blue Economies” Convergence Accelerator Track E, “Blue-Green Action Plan”, Phase II, BlueGAP: connecting communities upstream and downstream to improve nitrogen management, with Black in Marine Science and Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Maya Trotz, (PI), Co-PIs: Maya Burke, David Cwiertny, Rebecca Zarger (Co-PI), Tiara Moore, $5,000,000. Project website: https://blue-gap.org/

 

2021-2023        NSF “Blue Economies” Convergence Accelerator, Phase I:“Blue-Green Action Plan”, with Black in Marine Science and Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Maya Trotz, (PI), Rebecca Zarger (Sr. Personnel), Co-PIs: Frank Muller-Karger, Maya Burke, David Cwiertny, Steven Meyers. $750,000. Funded.

 

2020-2021        Co-PIs Maya Trotz and Rebecca Zarger, “Development of a University of South Florida Strong Coasts Convergence Center” USF Research Advisory Committee Strategic Investment Pool proposal grant awarded in January 2020. Amount: $100,000. April 2020-May 2021.

 

2017-2023        Maya Trotz, (PI), Rebecca Zarger (Co-PI), James Mihelcic (Co-PI), Quiong Zhang (Co-PI): NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Integrated Food Energy Water Systems (INFEWS) Grant, “NRT-INFEWS: Systems Training for Research On Geography-based Coastal Food Energy Water Systems (STRONG-CFEWS)”  National Science Foundation Award. Total Amount: $2.9 million

 

2017-2019        Jennifer Collins (PI), Robin Ersing (Co-PI), Rebecca Zarger, Shawn Landry, Mark Hafen, Mark Luther, Faculty Mentors. NSF REU: Weather, Climate and Society: An interdisciplinary approach integrating physical and social sciences. Award period: May 31, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2019. Summer 2018 supervised 3 REU undergraduate students in summer field experience focused on urban perceptions of climate change in Tampa Bay.

 

2012-2017        James Mihelcic (PI), Camille McKayle, Maya Trotz, Christian Wells Co-PIs, Senior Personnel: Rebecca Zarger, Sarina Ergas, Linda Whiteford, Daniel Yeh, Qiong Zhang, Frank Muller-Karger, Yogi Gaswami, Delcie Durham, Allan Feldman, Bernard Batson. “Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE): Context Sensitive Implementation of Synergistic Water-Energy Systems.” National Science Foundation. $3.9 million

 

2016                 Rebecca Zarger and Keith Prufer, Co-chairs, School for Advanced Research NSF Research Team Seminar, “Linking the Past to the Future: 2000 Years of Human Resilience and Socioecological Change in the Central American Tropics.” Held January 26-28, 2016.

 

2012-2015        Rebecca Zarger, PI, David Bruce Lewis (Co-PI, Integrative Biology), Shawn Landry (Co-PI, Florida Center for Community Research + Design), Mark Rains (Co-PI, Geology), Fenda Akiwumi (Co-PI, Geography and Environmental Science and Planning), Susan Bell (Senior Personnel, Integrative Biology). “RAPID: Assessing Vulnerabilities from Climate Change: Impacts of Water Provision, Power Relations and Perceptions of Risk on Ecohydrology in the Tampa Bay Region Socioecosystem.” National Science Foundation Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (CNH) Program. Total Amount: $88,766. 12/1/2012-12/1/2015. Refereed.

 

2013-2014        Rebecca Zarger (PI), Kristina Baines (Co-PI). “Maya Cultural Heritage Exchange in Southern Belize.” Bi-directional Knowledge Exchange Between Maya Archaeologists & Communities from the InHerit Foundation. $7500.

 

2011-2012        Rebecca Zarger, PI and Kristina Baines, Co-PI (Doctoral Advisee). “Sharing and Sustaining Maya Environmental Heritage in Southern Belize.” Proposal to the Anthropology and Environment Section of the American Anthropological Association Small Grants for Collaborative Problem Solving. Partners: Toledo Environmental and Cultural Heritage Alliance (TEACHA), Tumul K’in Center of Learning, Blue Creek, Toledo District, Belize, Uxb’enka K’in Ajaw Association (UKAA), Santa Cruz, Toledo District, Belize. Total Amount: $1,500.

 

2010-2013        David Bruce Lewis (PI), Rebecca Zarger (Co-PI), Tom Crisman (Co-PI), Mark Rains (Co-PI), Fenda Akiwumi (Co-PI): “ULTRA-Ex: Urban Development, Power Relations, and Water Redistribution as Drivers of Wetland Change in the Tampa Bay Region Ecosystem.” National Science Foundation Urban Long-Term Research Area (ULTRA) Exploratory Awards. Total Amount: $289,352.

 

2008-2013        Douglas Kennett (PI), Rebecca Zarger, (Co-PI), Keith Prufer (Co-PI), Bruce Winterhalder (Co-PI) and Kevin Cannariato (Co-PI): “Development and resilience of complex socioeconomic systems: A theoretical model and case study from the Maya Lowlands.” National Science Foundation, Human Social Dynamics Program Collaborative Grant (Oregon, USF, UNM, UC-Davis, USC). Purpose: An interdisciplinary project involving archaeologists, cultural anthropologists, and climate scientists to study the relationships between cultural landscapes, climate change, and the resilience of complex sociopolitical systems in the Maya lowlands of southern Belize. Refereed. Total Amount: $900,000.

 

2008-2013        Rebecca Zarger, PI. “Development and resilience of complex socioeconomic systems: A theoretical model and case study from the Maya Lowlands.” National Science Foundation, Human Social Dynamics Program Collaborative Grant. Purpose: Ethnographic research on historical ecology and current dynamics of environmental change in Maya communities of southern Belize; education initiatives for collaborative grant. Training: Funds for undergraduate project assistant and doctoral assistantship including dissertation field research. Refereed. Total Amount: $62,086.

 

2007-2008        PI: Laurel Graham (Sociology), Co-PIs: Rebecca Zarger, Elaine Howes (Secondary Educ./Science Educ.), and Jennifer Friedman (Sociology). “Promoting Nutrition and Environmental Stewardship through School Gardening in Tampa Bay” USF Collaborative for Children and Families’ Faculty Grants for Community Engagement 2007-2008. Purpose: to study the pedagogy of school gardening and funding a two-workshop series with 40 Tampa Bay area elementary and middle school teachers on incorporating gardening into environmental and social science curricula in their schools. Training: Includes small stipend for Undergraduate Honors in Anthropology student assisting with workshop planning in addition to thesis research with the project. Refereed. Total amount funded: $14,930.

 

2007                         Rebecca Zarger PI, “Representing the past, negotiating the present: Maya cultural and environmental heritage in southern Belize.” USF Humanities Institute Summer Grant. Purpose: Ethnographic research on how cultural and environmental heritage is negotiated in Maya communities with archaeological sites. Refereed. Total amount funded: $3500.

 

2007                 Rebecca Zarger PI, “Representing the past, negotiating the present: Maya cultural and environmental heritage in southern Belize.” USF College of Arts and Sciences International Travel Grant. Purpose: Ethnographic research on how cultural and environmental heritage is negotiated in Maya communities with archaeological sites. Refereed. Total amount funded: $1500

 

2005-2008        Michael McClain, PI, Rebecca Zarger Senior Personnel. “Gender and Integrated Water Resource Management in the Mara Basin, Kenya and Tanzania”, a component of Global Water Management and Sustainability (GLOWS), three year collaboration between USAID, the World Wildlife Fund, and FIU Department of Environmental Studies

 

2004                 Rebecca Zarger PI “Adapting to Changing Landscapes and Political Economies after Hurricane Iris in Southern Belize”, Florida International University College of Arts and Sciences Research Award. Total amount funded: $5,000.

 

2001-2002            Rebecca Zarger PI “Acquisition and Transmission of Environmental Knowledge by Q’eqchi’ Maya in Southern Belize”, Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship for Research Related to Education. Total amount funded: $20,000.

 

2001-2002            Rebecca Zarger PI University of Georgia Graduate School Doctoral Research Assistantship for Dissertation Write-Up. Total amount funded: $15,000.

 

2000-2001            Rebecca Zarger PI Inter-American Foundation Dissertation Fellowship for dissertation field research. Total amount funded: $10,000.

 

1999                         Research Assistantship, Laboratories of Ethnobiology, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia

 

1996-1999        Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia

 

1998                         Graduate Student Summer Travel Fellowship awarded by University of Georgia Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS)

 

Graduate Student Research Grant Awards

 

2021                 Atte Penttila (Co-PI) and Rebecca Zarger (PI) National Science Foundation DDRIG. “Doctoral Dissertation Research: Farmer Organizations and Development Actors in a Pandemic: Responses to COVID-19 and the Food-Water-Energy Nexus.”

 

2009                 Carylanna Taylor Bahamondes, Co-PI and Rebecca Zarger, PI. National Science Foundation Dissertation Improvement Grant (DDRIG). “Watershed Management in the Wake of Emigration: Transnational Flows of Remittances and Capital in Rural Households and Communities.” Purpose: Funds for Bahamondes to carry out dissertation research in Honduras and the U.S. Total amount: $14,555.

 

Grants and Awards for Engaged Research and Service Learning

2024                 Rebecca Zarger and Amelia Moore. Community Engaged Fund, American Anthropological Association, awarded to Anthropology and Environment Society for “Environmental Injustice and Place-Keeping Walking Tour” event associated with annual meetings in Tampa, Florida, November 22, 2024 ($2500).

 

2017                 Rebecca Zarger, Laurel Graham and Jennifer Friedman, “Good Neighbor Award” from Hillsborough County for partnership between USF Anthropology, Sociology and the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association.

 

2015-2016        Rebecca Zarger, PI, Funds Awarded to Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association through the GrassRoots Program, Aetna Foundation. Support for organization and USF graduate student program evaluation of youth garden education, culinary arts, and fresh food market ($25,000 for 2015-2016).

 

2012                 Nominee, Florida Campus Compact Faculty Service Learning Award. USF Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships.

 

2012                 Susan Greenbaum (PI), Lance Arney (PI Moses House), Rebecca Zarger (Co-PI). “Moses House Garden Project” YMCA and Creating a Healthier Sulphur Springs for Kids (CHSSK) coalition. Purpose: support program activities for fall semester 2012 for a 3 month long educational program for 12 youth, 12 weekly 3-hour sessions and some gardening supplies. Total Amount: $2175 out of total $10,000 award. June 2012. Not refereed.

 

2011                 Rebecca Zarger, PI (in collaboration with Community Partners Moses House/Lance Arney and East Tampa Community Garden). USF Office of Community Engagement Service Learning Faculty Award. Development and Implementation of Service Learning Course, Anthropology of Childhood, for Spring 2011. Total Amount: $3000 ($500 awarded to community partners).

 

2010                 Lance Arney, Mabel Sabogal, Rebecca Zarger, Margeaux Chavez. “Moses House Community Garden.” Tau Foundation Grant awarded by Allegany Franciscan Ministries. Total Amount: $10,000.

 

2010                 Rebecca Zarger (USF) and Frances Brooks (East Tampa Community Garden). USF Office of Community Engagement Service Learning Faculty Award. Total Amount: $700 ($500 to Faculty member and $200 to ETCG/community partner).

 

Awards

2024                 Named a National Science Foundation (NSF) and Every Page Foundation (EPF) 2024 Ocean Decade Champion, a monetary award to support women’s leadership activities, networking opportunities, technical and communications training and cross-disciplinary and intercultural scientific endeavors. NSF Award Number: 2209284

2018                 Annual Duckwall Lecture at University of South Florida St. Petersburg, entitled, “Visualizing climate futures in the Tampa Bay region”, with Dr. Rebecca Johns and Dr. Barnali Dixon, USFSP Environmental Sciences (2018).

 

 

 

I have more details on current research projects, publications, media coverage, and associated student projects under the “Current Research” page links to the right.