Faculty

Richard Plate

Richard Plate, Ph.D. 

Associate Lecturer
College of Undergraduate Studies

Email: richard.plate@ucf.edu

Research Interests

Sustainability; Decision-making and Environment; Climate Change Perceptions; Resilience, Environmental Education

Publications

Books

  • Kibert CJ, MC Monroe, AL Peterson, R Plate, and LP Thiele. 2012. Working Toward Sustainability: Ethical Decision Making in a Technological World. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Plate, R. Ed. 2009. Learning from the Sea. Produced with Project AWARE grant for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Book Chapters/Journal Articles

  • Plate, R. 2020. Human security and resource scarcity. In Lautensach, A.K. & S.W. Lautensach (eds.). Human Security in World Affairs: Problems and Opportunities, 2nd edition. Prince George, Canada: UNBC; Victoria, Canada,
  • Plate, R., Monroe, M.C., Friedrichsen, C., Bowers, and A.W., Chaves, W.A. (2020) Recommendations for Early Phases of Engaging Communities in Climate Change Adaptation. Journal of Science and Extension 8(2): 136-160.
  • Monroe, M. C., Plate, R., Oxarart, A., Bowers, A., & Chaves, W. A. (2019). Identifying effective climate change education strategies: a systematic review of the research. Environmental Education Research, 25(6), 791-812.
  • Woodill, S., Plate, R., & Jagoda, N. (2019). How Interdisciplinarians Work. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education,8(2), 112-129.
  • Plate, R.R., Monroe, M.C., Friedrichsen, W., Bowers, A., and Chaves Didier, W. 2021. Recommendations for Engaging Communities in Early Stages of Climate Change Adaptation. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension.
  • Monroe, M. C., Plate, R. R., Oxarart, A., Bowers, A., & Chaves, W. A. (2017). Identifying effective climate change education strategies: a systematic review of the research. Environmental Education Research, 1-22.
  • Monroe, M. C., Plate, R. R., & Colley, L. 2015. Assessing an Introduction to Systems Thinking. Natural Sciences Education, 44(1), 11-17.
  • Monroe, MC., Plate, RR., Adams, DC., & Wojcik, DJ. 2015. Harnessing homophily to improve climate change education. Environmental Education Research, 21(2): 221-238.
  • Wojcik, D. J., Monroe, M. C., Adams, D. C., & Plate, R. R. 2014. Message in a Bottleneck? Attitudes and Perceptions of Climate Change in the Cooperative Extension Service in the Southeastern United States. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 2(1), 51–70.
  • Monroe, MC., Plate, R., & Oxarart, A. 2013. Intermediate Collaborative Adaptive Management Strategies Build Stakeholder Capacity. Ecology and Society, 18(2), 24.
  • Plate R., 2012. The evolution of curriculum development in an increasingly complex world. Creative Education 3(8): DOI: 10.4236/ce.2012.38192.
  • Zuidema C, R Plate, and A Dikou. 2011. “To preserve or to develop? East Bay dredging project, South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands.” Journal of Coastal Conservation. January.
  • Plate R., Monroe M.C., and Oxarart A. 2010. “Public perceptions of using woody biomass as a renewable energy source.” Journal of Extension 48(3). http://www.joe.org/joe/2010june/pdf/JOE_v48_3a7.pdf.
  • Plate R. 2010. “Assessing individuals’ understanding of complex systems using cognitive mapping.” System Dynamics Review 26(1): 19-33.
  • Monroe, M. C., L. McDonell, A. Oxarart, R. Plate. 2009. “Using community forums to enhance public engagement in environmental issues.” Journal of Education for Sustainable Development. 3(2):171-182
  • Monroe M, A Oxarart, L Mcdonell, and R Plate. 2009. “Using community forums to enhance public engagement in environmental issues.” Journal of Education for Sustainable Development 3(2): 177-182.
  • Plate R. and M. Calosso. 2009. “Developing a sea ethic: Thinking like an ocean.” Times of the Islands.
  • Plate R. and D. Francke. 2008. “A sea ethic: Tool for enhancing your underwater experience.” Times of the Islands. 84: 38-42
  • Plate R. 2008. “Attracting institutional support through better assessment of systemsthinking.” Creative Learning Exchange Newsletter 17(3): 1-8.

Conference Presentations

National Presentations

  • Plate, R, (Jun 29, 2021). Systems (or Resilience) Thinking Training as an Integrative Tool for Environmental Studies Instruction. Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences Low-Carbon Conference, June 28–30, 2020.
  • Plate, R., Pierre, K., and Robinson, M. (July 17, 2020). Assessing the Impacts of a New System of Recycling Bins on Recycling Diversion Rates in Campus Buildings. Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences Low-Carbon Conference, July 15-17, 2020.
  • Plate, R. Recommendations for Early Phases in Engaging Communities in Climate Change Adaptation. Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) Annual Conference, June 26-29, 2019 at the University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816.
  • Woodill, S and R Plate. How Interdisciplinarians Work. Association for Interdisciplinary Studies Annual Conference. Detroit, MI. October 11, 2018
  • Monroe, MC, DC Adams, D Wocjik, and R Plate. “Perceptions of Climate Change among Southern Extension Professionals: Survey Results and a Comparison to ‘Six Americas.’ Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals Annual Meeting, Hendersonville, NC, May 22, 2012.
  • Plate, R. “The Once-ler Model of Environmental Ethics: Personal Narrative as the Foundation of an Environmental Ethic in a Post-Modern World.” Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature & Culture. Morelia, Mexico. January 17-20, 2008.
  • Plate, R and Claydon, J. “Significance of Habitat Mapping in Marine Ecosystem Management.” Keynote Address: Ecosystem Mapping Workshop. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. August 16, 2007.
  • Plate, R. “Panarchy: A Metaphor for Conveying Systems Concepts and Improving Systems Thinking Skills” Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Conference, Stevenson, WA. June 2004.

State/Regional Presentations

  • Plate, R. (June 24, 2020). Service-Learning with Energy Star Portfolio Manager. Panel member of US Green Building Council’s Sustainable City Spotlight: City of Winter Park.
  • Plate, R. Panel moderator for Jerrell Shofner Lecture on Florida History and Culture—Perspectives on Florida’s Environment. University of Central Florida, October 14, 2019.
  • Cansalo, K, Walters, L, and Plate, R. (February 6, 2019). Roses are Read and So Is the Tide. IDEAS for Us Hive.
  • Monroe, MC, DC Adams, R. Plate and D Wocjik. “The Six Americas of Climate Change: Perceptions of Southeast Extension Professionals.” PINEMAP Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, May 15-17, 2012.
  • Adams, DC, MC Monroe, D Wojcik, and R Plate. “Extension Perceptions of Climate Change.” Livestock and Poultry Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Workshop. Southeast Climate Consortium Meeting, Auburn, AL, April 9, 2012.
  • Plate, R. and Newman, S. “Recycling Opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” Green Technology Seminar: Mainstreaming Green Technology in the TCI. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. September 20, 2007.
  • Plate, R. “Using Cognitive Mapping to Evaluate How Students Perceive Complex Connections.” North American Association of Environmental Educators Annual Conference. Minneapolis, MN. October 12, 2006.
  • Monroe, MC, L McDonnell, L, and R Plate. “Public perceptions and acceptance of biomass production.” 37th Annual SAF/SFRC Spring Symposium. Gainesville, FL. March 29, 2006.

Campus Presentations

  • Plate, R. (2021). Hope and Hopelessness in Wildlife Conservation, Knights for Wildlife Conservation Guest Speaker, November 21, 2021.
  • Plate, R. (2021). Communicating Effectively about Environmental Issues. CNN Call to Earth Event presented by Florida PIRG Students at UCF, November 10, 2021.

Media Coverage

  • Plate, R. “Staying Home.” Public service announcement encouraging local Turks and Caicos residents to appreciate the high quality natural systems around their islands.” Viewed in Turks and Caicos schools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wk4nONvWpk.
  • Plate, R. 2008. “Keep It Clean.” Public Service Announcement regarding littering in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Aired locally. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPK15o6xtTE.
  • Plate, R. 2008. “Salt Stories. Short movie produced to teach Turks and Caicos children about the history of salt in South Caicos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQO6fhyDWRo.
  • Plate, R. 2007. “The Treasure of Shark Cay.” Short movie produced to teach Turks and Caicos children about the importance of mangroves. Viewed in Turks and Caicos schools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8VK3Q2bYo0.
  • Plate, R. 2006. “Vipepeo qua Amani.” Documentary on the Amani Butterfly Project, using butterfly farming to provide a sustainable economic opportunity for Tanzanian farmers in the Eastern Usambaras. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJgOfgJPQWU
  • Plate, R. (2021). Hope and Hopelessness in Addressing Sustainability Challenges, Defend Our Future Guest Speaker, October 21, 2021.
  • Plate, R, (2021). Career Opportunities in Environmental Studies. Presentation for Major Exploration Week, October 5, 2021.
  • Winston, H., Landwirth, P., and Plate, R. (2021). UCF June Teaching and Learning Day: The Basics and Beyond of Service Learning. Presentation for Service-Learning and Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, June 11, 2021.
  • Plate, R. (2021). How Environmental Justice Can Improve Environmentalism. UCF’s College of Undergraduate Studies Lecture Series, April 29, 2021.
  • Plate, R. (2020), “Creating Resilience through Community Groups,” Guest Speaker at IDEAS for Us, UCF Hive Meeting, November 12, 2020.

Awards

  • Pardee RAND Faculty Leader Program Fellow, 2021
  • Project AWARE Grant: 2009
  • Fulbright Grant, Fiji Islands 1995-1996
  • Southern Regional Extension Forestry Award for Excellence for Exceptional Programming in Southeastern Forests and Climate Change Secondary Education Module, 2016
  • Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals Gold Award for Using Community Forums to Enhance Public Engagement in Environmental Issues, 2010

UCF Awards

  • HIP Advocate Award for the Service-Learning Course Designation (2022-23)
  • Teaching Incentive Program Award (2022-23)