Biography
Dr. Tooley's research interests lie broadly in exploring the social life of cities, and more particularly the informal and innovative strategies by which urban residents claim their rights to the city. This research often involves the interdisciplinary integration of social anthropology, geography, sociology, politics and philosophy, among others. Dr. Tooley completed her PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh in 2012 and is delighted to be an urban anthropologist at large, contributing to both the Urban Studies and Sociology and Anthropology programs. As a joint appointment in Sociology and Anthropology, she teaches various anthropology courses within the major and help students explore the links between urban life, culture, globalization and society. Dr. Tooley is currently enjoying the opportunities Wheaton College offers to introduce students to the marvels and challenges of life in the city, from Edinburgh, Scotland to Chicago, just around the corner.
When not reading, writing or teaching about cities, these sustained interests still inform family activities, with Dr. Tooley's husband, son and two daughters, as well as their contributions to church and community, as they seek to better understand, practice and communicate God’s grace both to and within the city. Beyond these particularly urban pursuits, however, she also loves the rural delights of camping, hiking and getting (reasonably) lost, and an especially perfect day would include a canvas, easel and perhaps three or four extra hours.
Education (4)
University of Edinburgh: Ph.D., Social Anthropology 2012
Thesis title: ‘Save Our Old Town’: Engaging developer-led masterplanning through community renewal in Edinburgh
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School: M.A. Summa Cum Laude, Christian Thought 2006
University of Edinburgh: M.S., Social Anthropology 2002
Texas A & M University: B.A. Summa Cumma Laude, Political Science and International Studies 2001
Areas of Expertise and Research Interests (4)
Sociology
Social Anthropology
Geography
Politics
Professional Affiliations (2)
- American Anthropological Association : member.
- Society for the Anthropology of Europe
Links (2)
Presentations and Event Appearances (5)
Reconsidering Minority Nationalism: Renewing Anthropological Interest in the Celtic Fringe
AAA annual conference panel Nov 2017
Unsettling Temporality "Intrusions of the Industrial: Moral Encounters with Power and Time in Edinburgh"
AAA annual conference panel Nov 2016
"Edinburgh’s Opportunity in Crisis: Community activism in the cracks of neoliberal development"
Urban Affairs Association annual conference March 2016
The spatiality of the city as a basis for transformation "Mobilizing community and making place"
European Urban Research Association annual conference panel Sept 2015
Recalling and imagining in social interaction "Edinburgh in memory: Imagining for development"
Vienna Anthropology Days panel April 2015
Academics and Published Research (1)
Classes taught
- URBN 114 Social Life and Cities - ANTH 116 Introduction to Anthropology - ANTH/URBN 400: Urban Europe - ANTH/URBN 373 City in Popular Culture - ANTH URBN 383 Cities in the Global South - ANTH 341 Consumption and Material Culture - ANTH 381 Politics of Veiling in the Modern Middle East
Select Articles, Chapters, Reviews, and Other Publications (1)
Competition and community in Edinburgh: Contradictions in neoliberal urban development
Social Anthropology 25: 3
2017