Monica Galligan

IEPG Adjunct

Monica Galligan
Tel
(831) 647-4155
Email
mgalligan@middlebury.edu

A native of Washington DC, Monica Galligan has enjoyed a career trajectory embracing science, technology, policy and non-profit engagement in equal measures. After education in the United States and Canada, she worked with The Williamson Group and John Snow International, developing and supporting software to enable schools, hospitals and museums to fulfill their respective missions. In the 1990s, she moved to Monterey to revel in the mature field of computer operating systems and the burgeoning field of computer networking. In 1996, she moved to Ireland to train Internet Service Providers throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Settling happily on the border of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Galligan led educational projects funded by the European Union Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, including database design, web development, and project management.

In 2002, Galligan returned to Monterey to attend the California State University, Monterey Bay, where she earned a Master of Science degree in Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy, and became a lecturer in the School of Natural Sciences, teaching Environmental Economics and Policy. She serves on the board of the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, and is a long-time volunteer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Courses Taught

Course Description

Geographic Information Systems

This course introduces the theory and application of spatial data acquisition, analysis, and display using a project based approach. Students will practice how to conceive, gather, manage, analyze, and visualize geographic datasets using the global positioning system (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS), and use GIS for spatial analysis and decision making. The course will be conducted using lecture and lab methods; active student participation is required.

Terms Taught

Spring 2022 - MIIS, Fall 2022 - MIIS, Spring 2023 - MIIS, Fall 2023 - MIIS, Spring 2024 - MIIS

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

This hands-on, project-based course will build on the skills learned in the introductory GIS course. Working within their discipline, students will develop real-world case studies to practice GIS modeling, perform spatial data analysis, statistical analysis and temporal data analysis, test hypotheses and recommend policy based on their findings. Students will employ project management, database design and troubleshooting techniques applicable to GIS and other fields.

Terms Taught

Spring 2022 - MIIS, Spring 2023 - MIIS, Spring 2024 - MIIS

View in Course Catalog

Areas of Interest

My research is in the socioeconomics of commercial marine fisheries, helping the overlapping communities of conservationists and resource users to understand each other’s points of view. My research assists the federal and state governments in developing policies that support sustainability, biodiversity, and both human and marine communities. 

Coincident with these interests is a passion to promote thoughtful consideration to solve complex problems. GIS tools enable us to do that in the classroom, while developing each student’s project management and collaboration skills, along with our technical expertise.

Academic Degrees

  • MSc in Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy, California State University Monterey Bay 
  • BA in Training and Education, National University of Ireland Galway

Professor Galligan has been teaching at the Institute since 2012.