Background Information
Dr. Robbins has taught environmental studies at Huxley College of Environmental
Studies at Western Washington University since he received his Ph.D. from
University of Oregon in 1971. He has been involved in more than 20
social science projects that assessed the social and economic effects of
energy developments and federal and state policies on tribal governments,
businesses, and households. He conducted a needs assessment for housing,
employment, and businesses development for the Lummi and Upper Skagit tribes
in Washington State. Dr. Robbins has been the sole or co-author of
more than two dozen reports and many journal articles on his research.
He has conducted projects as senior scientist or co-principal investigator
for the National Parks Service, the Minerals Management Service, the Bureau
of Indian Affairs, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Forest Service, the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, several Native American tribes, and
research institutes such as the Battelle Memorial Institute, Human Relations
Area Files, and the John Muir Institute. He has also worked on small
contracts as the sole contractor with small companies, as shown in his
resume. His work has acquired considerable skill in interviewing
community leaders from business and government and household heads affected
by energy and environmental policies and regulations. He was a National
Park Service Archeologist-Ranger in Chaco Cultural National Historic Park
from 1962 to 1966 and attended a three month National Park Service training
session on aspects of park management in 1964. He teaches courses
in human ecology, social and environmental impact assessment, Washington
State Environmental Regulations, and U.S. and International Environmental
Policy.