Leslie Vangelder

Leslie Van Gelder is an archaeologist, writer, and educator whose work focuses on people's relationships to Place, both in the distant past, present, and future. Her work in prehistoric archaeology pioneered new methodologies which led to the discoveries of evidence for women and children (as well as men) as cave artists during the Upper Paleolithic. She is the author of multiple books where the focus of her work looks at the relationship between past and present to better understand the world today. Though originally from the U.S, today she makes her home in the Rees Valley of New Zealand where she is actively involved in community heritage work.

Dr. Van Gelder has been a member of Walden's faculty since 2002. She began in the Masters in Education program, serving for many years as a faculty mentor and Program Director. Since 2005 she has been a member of the Ph.D. faculty where she has worked with students in a wide variety of specializations.

Education

PhD, Union Institute and University

MA, College of New Jersey

BA, University of Michigan