Robert Gilman
Encyclopedia
Robert C. Gilman is a thinker on sustainability
who, along with his late wife Diane Gilman
, has researched and written about ecovillage
s. The Gilmans’ work was important in giving definition to the ecovillage movement and shaping the direction of the Global Ecovillage Network
. In 1991, the Gilmans co-authored Eco-Villages and Sustainable Communities, a seminal study of ecovillages for Gaia Trust.
Also in 1991, Gilman, who was publisher of the magazine In Context, wrote an article entitled “The Eco-village Challenge” that set out a definition of an ecovillage as a:
This definition was to become the standard definition on which the ecovillage movement was founded and is still considered by many to be the most authoritative.
. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley
in 1967 with a bachelor's in astronomy
. He received a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Princeton University
in 1969. Gilman has taught and conducted research at the University of Minnesota
, the Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and was a research associate at NASA
's Institute for Space Studies.
Another phase of Gilman's life began in the mid 1970s when he decided that "the stars could wait, but the planet couldn't." He turned his attention to the study of global sustainability, future
s research and strategies for positive cultural change. He and Diane designed and built their own solar
home in 1975. In 1979 they founded the Context Institute, one of the earliest NGOs to focus on sustainability.
In 1983 the Context Institute began publishing In Context, A Quarterly of Humane Sustainable Culture, with Gilman as editor. In Context won Utne Reader's
Alternative Press Award for "Best Coverage of Emerging Issues" in 1991 and 1994.
Gilman is currently a member of the Langley, Washington City Council.
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
who, along with his late wife Diane Gilman
Diane Gilman
Diane Gilman , was a painter, potter, writer and co-founder of the Context Institute. She played a key role in the initial development and coordination of the Global Ecovillage Network, a support network for model communities to show how to live more sustainably on the planet, in urban, rural,...
, has researched and written about ecovillage
Ecovillage
Ecovillages are intentional communities with the goal of becoming more socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. Some aim for a population of 50–150 individuals. Larger ecovillages of up to 2,000 individuals exist as networks of smaller subcommunities to create an ecovillage model that...
s. The Gilmans’ work was important in giving definition to the ecovillage movement and shaping the direction of the Global Ecovillage Network
Global Ecovillage Network
The Global Ecovillage Network is a global association of people and communities dedicated to living "sustainable plus" lives by restoring the land and adding more to the environment than is taken...
. In 1991, the Gilmans co-authored Eco-Villages and Sustainable Communities, a seminal study of ecovillages for Gaia Trust.
Also in 1991, Gilman, who was publisher of the magazine In Context, wrote an article entitled “The Eco-village Challenge” that set out a definition of an ecovillage as a:
- human-scale
- full-featured settlement
- in which human activities are harmlessly integrated into the natural world
- in a way that is supportive of healthy human development and can be successfully continued into the indefinite future.
This definition was to become the standard definition on which the ecovillage movement was founded and is still considered by many to be the most authoritative.
From astrophysics to global sustainability
Gilman's academic training is in astrophysicsAstrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
in 1967 with a bachelor's in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
. He received a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1969. Gilman has taught and conducted research at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, the Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and was a research associate at NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Institute for Space Studies.
Another phase of Gilman's life began in the mid 1970s when he decided that "the stars could wait, but the planet couldn't." He turned his attention to the study of global sustainability, future
Future
The future is the indefinite time period after the present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the nature of the reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently exists and will exist is temporary and will come...
s research and strategies for positive cultural change. He and Diane designed and built their own solar
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
home in 1975. In 1979 they founded the Context Institute, one of the earliest NGOs to focus on sustainability.
In 1983 the Context Institute began publishing In Context, A Quarterly of Humane Sustainable Culture, with Gilman as editor. In Context won Utne Reader's
Utne Reader
Utne Reader is an American bimonthly magazine. The magazine collects and reprints articles on politics, culture, and the environment from generally alternative media sources, including journals, newsletters, weeklies, zines, music and DVDs...
Alternative Press Award for "Best Coverage of Emerging Issues" in 1991 and 1994.
Gilman is currently a member of the Langley, Washington City Council.