Profile

Dr. Sharon Woodill is an Associate Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Central Florida. Her academic journey began in music with a BA in Jazz Piano, continued through Gender and Women's Studies with an MA, and led to a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from Dalhousie University.

Her research focuses on complexity theory, interdisciplinary methodologies, educational technology, and environmental stewardship. She advocates for understanding interdisciplinarity as more than just combining disciplines, but as a framework for engaging with knowledge and people to create positive change.

Dr. Woodill has published on the epistemology of complexity, Intelligent Design, and digital technologies for interdisciplinary education. Her collaborative work examines how interdisciplinary scholars work and teach, contributing to both theoretical frameworks and practical applications.

As a 2024 Research Excellence Award recipient and Faculty Fellow, she contributes to curriculum development and faculty engagement in career readiness.

Dr. Woodill serves as Co-Chair of the Alpha Iota Sigma Honor Society and has organized conferences, workshops, and community events that connect academic research with public engagement, applying interdisciplinary approaches to practical challenges.

• Interdisciplinary Theory, Methods, Pedagogy
• Complexity Theory
• Feminist Science Studies
• Ecofeminism and Environmental Stewardship

Dip. Music- (Classical Piano)
Keyano College

Dip. Jazz Studies
St. Francis Xavier University

B.A. Music-St. Francis
Xavier University

M.A Gender and Women’s Studies
Mount Saint Vincent University

Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Studies (Philosophy and Religious Studies)
Dalhousie University

My commitment to service emerges from the same principles that guide my interdisciplinary work: building connections across differences, fostering inclusive dialogue, and creating frameworks for collaborative problem-solving. I contribute to university governance by championing civil discourse and curriculum innovation that responds to evolving student needs and societal challenges. Through committee leadership and faculty fellowships, I work to integrate professional development, sustainability, and diversity into academic programs while fostering meaningful connections between students, faculty, and community partners. I believe that service is not separate from teaching and research but integral to a holistic approach to academic life that honors the epistemology of connection central to interdisciplinary work. By extending educational opportunities to diverse populations and building bridges between academic and professional communities, I strive to embody the inclusive and transformative potential of interdisciplinary education in both theory and practice.

• Chair, Senate Committee on Civil Discourse (2024-2025)
• Career Services-Faculty Fellow, University of Central Florida (2024-2025)
• UNSDG Open Pedagogy Fellow, An International Collaboration (2024)
• Chair, Curriculum Committee, Interdisciplinary Studies (2018-Present)
• Faculty Lead, Interdisciplinary Engagement and Partnerships (2020-Present)
• Co-Chair, Alpha Iota Sigma Honor Society (International Organization) (2019-Present)
• Coordinator/Liaison, Honors Undergraduate Thesis Program, College of Undergraduate Studies (2018-Present)
• Member, Conference Technical Program Committee, International Conference on Education and E-Learning, Japan (2024)
• Member, Undergraduate Research Council, College of Undergraduate Studies (2021-Present)
• Instructor and Member, Florida Prison Education Project (2018-2022)

• Excellence in Research Award, Faculty Excellence, College of Undergraduate Studies, University of Central Florida (2024)
• Research Incentive Award, Faculty Excellence, University of Central Florida (2023)
• Women's History Month Awardee, Faculty Excellence, University of Central Florida (2019)
• The Duffy Award for Interdisciplinarity, The Interdisciplinary PhD Program, Dalhousie University (2013, 2011)
• Governor General's Academic Medal (Gold), Government of Canada, Mount Saint Vincent University (2009)

• Capstone Experience (IDS 4934)
• Cornerstone Experience (IDS 3933)
• World Comparative Studies (IDS 3333)
• Ways of Knowing (IDS 6802) - Graduate
• Interdisciplinary Research Methods (IDS)
• Gender and the Environment (IDS 3057)
• Environmental Stewardship (IDS 4249)
• Environmental Leadership (IDS 3053)