curriculum vitae--R. Michael Fisher(formerly Robert M.)
507 S. James St., Carbondale, IL 62901
618-529-1166
Formal Education
2000-03 - Ph.D. in Education, Centre for the Study of Curriculum & Instruction, The University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, BC, Canada
1998-00 - M.A. in Adult Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
1988-89 - Graduate Diploma, Educational Psychology (Rehabilitation Studies), University of Calgary, AB, Canada
1978-80 – B.Ed. (After) Secondary Science, University of Calgary, AB
1976-78 – B.Sc. Environmental Biology, University of Calgary, AB
1972-74 - Diploma, Biological Sciences (Ecology), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, AB
Practical Research Interests
- primary and secondary research, action-participatory qualitative (some quantitative, surveys)
- curricular design and pedagogy (e.g., holistic, transformative, integral, and futures perspectives)
- values-principle based leadership and organizational assessments with focus on transition of “cultures of fear” to “cultures of trust” and "cultures of fearlessness" (e.g., team-building and collaborative inquiry)
- workplace violence, rights, incivility (and terrorism) in higher education, collective trauma and existential capacity/intelligence, making best an aesthetics of ruins, restorative aesthetics, emotional intelligence/competency, emotional wisdom, and relationship dynamics (systems perspective), integral fearanalysis and fearology
- mission-sensitive and vision-integral approaches and ethics re: research as teaching, teaching as research and the role of leaders and learning communities attaining excellence, and designing "gift economies"
- peer-based support/counseling services, conflict management, fear management, non-violent
communications, arts, aesthetics, and general mental health and sustainability of organizational cultures,
- change/transition support, restorative and transformative learning,
- radical to revolutionary innovation and fearlessness designs for evolutionary advantage,
- spirituality, multiculturalism and diversity (process models) in higher education and communities
Academic Research Interests[in no particular order]
creativity, arts and aesthetics education, critical health studies, migration studies and xenophobia, terrorism/fearism, aesthetics and ethics in politics, and the unique role of the artist in society, integral (Wilberian) philosophy, philosophy of fearlessness, philosophy of fearism,critical social philosophy, existential philosophy, leadership studies and developmental theories, feminist analysis, holistic-integral analysis, Indigenous-Western methodologies of decolonization, two-eyed seeing methodology, depth psychology and psychoanalysis (post-Freud and Lacan), transdisciplinarity, post-postmodern critical integral theory, critical theory and nonviolent (fearlessness) pedagogy, conflict pedagogy, critical discourse analysis, transformative and liberational learning, arts-based qualitative inquiry and research, art as social action, relational and connective aesthetics, popular and adult emancipatory education, human services (professional development), organizational, community, fear management education in a post-9/11 world, conflict management education, emotion management education, peace education and nonviolence, worldviews and value systems, health and addictions education, safety and security discourses, culture of fear syndrome and risk society, ecology of fear, history of fear and fearlessness, incivility in higher education, popular culture, cyborgs and avatars as role-playing inquiry and pedagogy, transnational, transcultural and transpersonal studies, magical studies, existential geography and capacity, trauma studies, post-Lacanian psychoanalysis (matrixial theory), cultural therapy (ontopsychocultural therapia), adultism, critical curriculum and pedagogy
Graduate Theses & Dissertation
2003 Fearless leadership in and out of the ‘Fear’ Matrix. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Vancouver, BC: The
University of British Columbia. [Available on-line m1.cust.educ.ubc.ca:16080/Artography/phd.php]
2000 Toward a ‘conflict’ pedagogy: A critical discourse analysis of ‘conflict’ in conflict management education.
Unpublished masters thesis. Vancouver, BC: The University of British Columbia.
Graduate Scholarships, Fellowships & Grants Awarded
2001-03 Social Science & Humanities Research Council of Canada, Doctoral Fellowship $51,000
2001-03 Faculty of Education Grant Supplement Award, UBC $4000
1999-00 University Graduate Fellowship, UBC $16,000
1984R. Buckminster Fuller Scholarship, California Institute of Integral Studies, $500
Books
Fisher, R. M. (2018). Fearless Encounters: The True Story of an Indigenous-based Social Transformer: An Intellectual Biography of Four Arrows (aka Don Trent Jacobs). NY: Peter Lang.
Fisher, R. M., and Subba, D. (2016). Philosophy of fearism: A first East-West dialogue. Australia: Xlibris.
Fisher, R.M. (2010). The world’s fearlessness teachings: A critical integral approach to fear management/education
in the 21st century. Lanham, MD: University of America Press.
Fisher, R. M., & Bickel, B. (2007). Elicit bodies. Vancouver, BC: In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute.
Fisher, R.M. (1996). Dare to contradict, dare to distinguish; Into the flaming heart of the In Search of Fearlessness
Project. Calgary, AB: In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute.
Bickel, B. & Fisher, R.M. (1993). Opening doors; A guide to spontaneous creation-making. Calgary, AB: In Search of
Fearlessness Research Institute.
Fisher, R.M. (1980). Guide to the orchids of the Cypress Hills. Calgary, AB: Author.
Book Chapters
Fisher, R. M. (in progress). Integral gnoseology as critical educational practice: Re-reading Freire and Wilber. In S.
Esbjörn-Hargens (ed.), True but partial: Essential critiques of Integral Theory. NY: State University of New
York Press.
Fisher, R. M. (2016). Towards a theory of fearism. In R. Michael Fisher and Desh Subba, Philosophy of fearism: A
first East-West dialogue (pp. 97-128). Australia: Xlibris
Fisher, R.M. (2014). (Are) men tragically hopeless(?): A critical integralist’s perspective. In S. Nicholson
and V. Fisher (eds.), Sex, gender and sexuality: Critical inquiries(pp. 39-62). NY: State University of
New York Press.
Fisher, R. M. (2013). The sacred ground of fearlessness. In Teaching Truly: A curriculum to indigenizing
mainstream education. Four Arrows (Don Trent Jacobs and guests) (pp. 247-50): NY: Peter Lang.
Fisher, R.M. (2008). (with commentary by Four Arrows, Stephen Quaye, & Blaine Pope). Day Five 1st Presentation:
R. Michael Fisher’s story, “Fearless Leadership”. In D. Jacobs Four Arrows (Ed.), The authentic dissertation:
Alternative ways of knowing, research and representation (pp. 143-148). London, UK: Routledge.
Refereed Journal (and/or Proceedings) Articles
Schultz, A., McGibbon, E., Sinclair, M., Fisher, R. M., and Linton, J. (submitted). A scoping review of research about coronary artery disease in Indigenous people: Getting to the heart of the matter to move forward in reconciliation. Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Fisher, R. M., and Subba, R. (forthcoming). Why a new philosophy of fearism? Philosophy Now.
Fisher, R. M., and Subba, R. (forthcoming). The true gift of education for development: A fearist perspective. Participation: A Nepalese Journal of Participatory Development, 17 (August), 23-29.
Fisher, R. M. (forthcoming). An apple is not always red: An aesthetic model for teaching and evaluating quality. Art Education.
Fisher, R. M. (2017). Radical love—is it radical enough? International Journal of Critical Pedagogy (Spring Issue).
Jordan, N., Richardson, P., Fisher, R. M., Bickel, B., and Walsh, S. (2016). Provoking curricula of care: Weaving stories of rupture towards repair. Canadian Journal of Curriculum Studies, 14(1), 33-54.
Fisher, R. M. and Bickel, B. (2015). Aesthetic wit(h)nessing within a matrixial imaginary. Canadian Reviewof Art Education: Research and Issues, 42(1), 76-93.
Fisher, R. M. (with Lucinda) (2012). Case of the drunken holon: An integral performative co-inquiry. Journal of
Mental Health and Addiction, 10(3), 386-406.
Fisher, R. M. (2011). A critique of critical thinking: Towards a critical integral pedagogy of fearlessness. NUML:
Journal of Critical Inquiry, 9(2), 92-164.
Fisher, R.M. (2006). Invoking ‘Fear’ Studies. TheJournal of Curriculum Theorizing, 22(4), 39-71.
Fisher, R.M. & Bickel, B. (2006). The mystery of Dr. Who?: On a road less traveled in art education. The Journal of
Social Theory in Art Education, 26, 28-57.
Fisher, R.M. (2000). Learning under fire: Adult education in the heat of conflict. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Adult
Education Research Conference (pp. 555-6), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
Fisher, R.M. (2000). Towards an integrative literature search: Reflections of a 'wild' adult learner. The Reference
Librarian, 69/70, 407-417.
Fisher, R.M. (1997). IUD's (Issues underlying distinctions): Brief analysis of current conflicts in adult and community
education from recent issues of AJACE. Australian Journal of Adult and Community Education, 37(3), 179-
187.
Fisher, R.M. (1997). A guide to Wilberland: Some common misunderstandings of the critics of Ken Wilber and his
work on transpersonal theory prior to 1995. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 37(4), 30-73.
Fisher, R.M. (1986). Education and beauty; Skin-deep or life-deep? Elements; A Journal for Elementary Education,
8(1): 13-16.
Fisher, R.M. (1986). Dissipative structures theory; A 'new alchemy' in the transformation of education. Educational
Researcher, 15: 24-5.
Fisher, R.M. (1983). Supermemory in a grade 5/6 class. The Journal of Suggestive and Accelerative Learning and
Teaching, 7(3): 263-267.
Fisher, R.M. (1983). Will the real philosophers please stand, and take heed! Journal of Environmental Education,
14(3): 41-42.
Non-refereed Journal (and Professional Newsletters, ezines) Articles
Fisher, R. M. (2013). Disappear fear: The quick-fix fear pill and its discontents. Journal of Wild Culture, September.
Fisher, R. M. (2012). Adult education for an Integral Age. The Leading Edge, May, 18-19.
Bickel, B., and Fisher, R. M. (2011). Artist statement: Spiritus praxis. NUML: Journal of Critical Inquiry,9(2), 203-07.
Meyer, K. & Fisher, R.M. (2002). Walljamming: A project of re-imagining academic community. Educational Insights,
7(1), 1-4.
Fisher, R.M. (1991). Spontaneous art expression group; Bringing people and artistic expression together in a healing
process. Alberta Arts Therapy Association Newsletter, 37: 4-6.
Fisher, R.M. (1990). Professionalism as a fear-based reality. Alberta Arts Therapy Association Newsletter, 34: 2-3.
Fisher, R.M. (1990). Hurt and healing; Towards a liberational theory of attention as applied to the expressive arts as
therapy. Alberta Arts Therapy Association Newsletter, 35: 5.
Fisher, R.M. (1988). Book Review: The creative imperative; A four-dimensional theory of human growth and planetary
evolution by C. Johnston, 1985. Alberta Arts Therapy Association Newsletter, 26: 3-4.
Fisher, R.M. (1982). Playful unit reviews. The Middle/Junior High Science Bulletin, Feb: 3.
Fisher, R.M. (1979). Dr. Grant McEwan; An educational saint. Connections: A Journal for Environmental and Outdoor
Education Council of Alberta Teacher's Association, 3: 3.
Fisher, R.M. (1979). Book Review: Life strategies, human evolution, environmental design by V. Geist, 1978. Alberta
Naturalist, 9: 92-3.
Works (books and articles) in Progress
Fisher, R. M. Fearism, fortress mentality and the dialectics of fearlessness in global migration biopolitics of fear.
Fisher, R. M. Two hands, two decks, and a theory: Expanding thinking vocabularies of learners in the 21st century. Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies
Fisher, R. M. A general introduction to fearanalysis: Putting the culture of fear and terror on the couch. Lanham, MD: Hamilton Books.
Fisher, R. M. Best of the (deep) connoisseurs of fear: Invoking the spirit of fearlessness for our times (a novel).
Research & Management Consulting
2014- Indigenous-Western perspectives on Indigenous heart health in Manitoba, University of
Manitoba (Researcher). Senior Researcher: Dr. Annette Schultz, Nursing
2009-11 Primary and secondary research for my own company (with Dinah Seibert): Grow & GO:
Emotional-based Learning, Carbondale, IL
2009-10 Primary and secondary research baseline study on “Gaia” conceptualizations and mission,
vision, values, for Gaia House-Interfaith Center (Director: Hugh Muldoon, University Christian
Ministries, non-profit organization of Southern Illinois University Carbondale)
2008-10 Primary research using my own instrument “Values & Community Development Survey”
(self-initiated in Carbondale, IL under In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute)
2007-08 Secondary research baseline study on “incivility” in higher education (for Dr. Bonnie Lee,
School of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, AB)
2005 Secondary research and co-writing a manual: “Anger Management” (for Joan Balmer,
training instructor at The Justice Institute, BC)
2004-05 Primary and secondary research, writing papers, and advising on “integral” approaches to
leadership and change/transformation (for Lesley & Eitan Sharir, Dynamic Achievement, Inc.,
Vancouver, BC)
2004-05 Secondary research, baseline study, writing a report: “Capitalizing on the Culture of Fear: A
Baseline Study for Leaders” (for Terrie Ten Eyck, Intellectual Architects, Inc., Minneapolis, MN)
1996-98 Secondary Research, baseline study, co-creating the “Global Values Survey” with Ian Dakers,
Harmonic Thinking Systems, Calgary, AB) and applied the survey, graphed and interpreted
the data (with presentations) for some non-profit and profit organizations (as beta trials)
1993-98 Primary and secondary research, survey and data analysis, writing reports, and assisting in
vision, mission, strategic development for the non-profit organization In Search of Fearlessness
Center, Calgary, AB
1985-93 Primary and secondary research, surveys and data analysis, writing reports, manuals, and
directing staff development, case management for families in crisis (for Directors, Don & Carol
Hale, Quest Ranch, an Alberta Social Services funded treatment center)
1982-85 Private practice: educational counselor, elementary, junior/senior high schools, families
1983-84 Special Education (remediation) teacher (p/t), Olds Jr. Sr. High School, Olds, AB.
1978-79 Wildlife technician (consultant), for Ducks Unlimited, Calgary, AB
1974-76 Wildlife technician (consultant), with F. F. Slaney & Co, Edmonton, AB
Post-Secondary Teaching
2014Instructor forPS895 "From Fear to Fearlessness: A Journey in Uncertain Times". Continuing Education, John A. Logan College, IL
2007 Sessional Lecturer, HLSC 2850- “Addiction Recovery as Fear Management: A Post-Modern View,” School
of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge (3wk. summer undergrad course).
2000-1 Instructor/Tutor for ADED 329 credit on-line course (Adult Education- Developing Short Courses, Workshops
& Seminars), Office of Continuing Professional Education, UBC, Supervisor, Jo-Anne Chilton
1992-5 Instructor (personal growth/development course called "Basics To The Path Of Fearlessness"), Continuing
Adult Education, Univ. of Calgary (p/t)
Academic Guest Lectures & Panel Presentations
2016 Matrixial Aesthetics and Artful Inquiry lecture. For AD499/WGSS 491/591 Artful Inquiry, for Barbara Bickel,
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
2015 Aesthetics and Art Education, for AD 308 Philosophy of Art Education course, for Kathleen Frye, S. lllinois
University, Carbondale
2014 Females & Fear: Contributions & Challenges, Brown Bag lecture, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies,
University of S. Illinois, Carbondale
2013 Introduction to Spiral Dynamics integral theory. Lecture for Macrotheory in Social Work undergrad course
Professor: Dona Reese, S. Illinios University, Carbondale, Faculty of Social Work.
2013 Aesthetics and educational philosophy. Lecture for Art Education Philosophy 308, S. Illinois University,
Carbondale, Faculty of Art & Design, Professor: Barbara Bickel
2012 Introduction to Integral Theory, for SOCW 500 class in Human Behavior in Social Environments, Dr.
Dhrubodhi Mukherjee, Dept. of Social Work, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
2012 Art of drawing and coloring, aesthetics and children. Lecture for Art Education 348, S. Illinois University,
Carbondale, Faculty of Art & Design, Professor: Barbara Bickel
2012 Aesthetics and educational philosophy. Lecture for Art Education Philosophy 308, S. Illinois University,
Carbondale, Faculty of Art & Design, Professor: Barbara Bickel
2011 The art of making change. Lecture. Social Work Practicum (Masters students). SIUC.
2011 Aesthetic development in art education practice. Lecture for Art Education Philosophy 308, S. Illinois
University Carbondale, Faculty of Art & Design, Professor Barbara Bickel
2010 Introduction to Integral Theory, for SOCW 500 class in Human Behavior in Social Environments, Dr.
Dhrubodhi Mukherjee, Dept. of Social Work, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
2010 Spiral dynamics in the academy: The transdisciplinary dance of dissonance. Panel member, at Integral
Theory Conference (Enacting an Integral Future), July 29-Aug.1, 2010, Pleasant Hill, CA
2010 Avatar Panel discussion. Gaia House-Interfaith Center, Carbondale, IL
2010 Adolescent aesthetic development. Lecture for Art Education and High School Methods course AD338,
S. Illinois University Carbondale, Faculty of Art & Design. Professor Barbara Bickel
2009 Eight natural healers. Lecture for Emotional Health course HED 312, S. Illinois University Carbondale,
Department of Health Education. Instructor Dinah Seibert
2009 Arts-based inquiry. Lecture for Art Education Research AD508, S. Illinois University Carbondale, Faculty
of Art & Design. Professor Barbara Bickel
2009 Aesthetic development in art education practice. Lecture for Art Education Philosophy 308, S. Illinois University
Carbondale, Faculty of Art & Design, Professor Barbara Bickel
2009 Introduction to terror management theory. Lecture for Emotional Health course HED 312, S. Illinois University
Carbondale, Department of Health Education, Instructor Dinah Seibert
2009 Curriculum (for adolescents) as intervention. Lecture for Art Education Methods AD338, S. Illinois University
Carbondale, Faculty of Art & Design, Instructor: Barbara Bickel
2009 Emotional competence in relationships. Lecture for Emotional Health course HED 312, S. Illinois University
Carbondale, Department of Health Education, Instructor Dinah Seibert
2008 Aesthetic development in art education practice. Lecture for Art Education Philosophy 308, S. Illinois University
(Carbondale), Faculty of Art & Design, Instructor: Barbara Bickel
2007 “An Inconvenient Truth”: A Convenient Culture of Fear, Al Gore. Lecture and Dialogue. Sponsored by The
Centre for the Study of the Internationalization of Curriculum, The University of British Columbia
2007 Fear and Terrorism. Guest lecturer, with Dr. Bonnie Lee, Professional School of Health Sciences, The
University of Lethbridge, AB
2006 Integral fear management systems and family counseling practices. Guest lecturer, with Dr. G. Nixon,
Counseling Psychology, Professional School of Health Sciences, The University of Lethbridge, AB
2006 Assessing violence in a culture of fear: Finding common ground. Panel presentation: Issues in Education #1:
Youth Violence & New Challenges for Educators in the 21st Century. Graduate Students, Faculty of Education,
The University of British Columbia
2005 Balancing care and critique in the transformative dissertation: A retrospective errata. Guest lecturer for Brown
Bag Seminars, Centre for Cross-Faculty Inquiry, Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia
2004 Introduction to the culture of fear. Guest lecture for English 105 class, Simon Fraser University, BC.
Instructor: Dr. Fred Ribkoff
2001 Teaching and learning in conflict sites. David Lamm Chair Seminar Multiculturalism Seminars, Faculty of
Education, UBC.
1994-96 Liberation Peer Counseling. Lecture to undergrads, Dept. of Psychology, The University of Calgary, AB.
Professor Dr. Susan Boon.
Professional and Public Presentations & Workshops
2012 Art Education in Transition(with Barbara Bickel)Jackson County District School Teacher's P.D. day,
Carbondale High School, IL
2012 Originary Compassion, Art, Labyrinths and Matrixial Aesthetics, Barbara Bickel and R. Michael Fisher. For 11
Days for Compassion, Nonviolent Carbondale Commission, Carbondale, IL.
2011 Role of Fear and Fearlessness in Our Lives. Gaia House Interfaith Center series "Food for Thought."
2011 Peer-based Support Practice of Non-violence. Nonviolent Carbondale Project, Carbondale Human Relations
Commission, Civic Center, Carbondale, Il.
2010 (with Tod Kington) Two Journeys Down a Rocky Road. Center for Spiritual Inquiry & Integral Education,
Carbondale, IL
2010 Art as Visual Meditation(s). Carbondale Unitarian Universalists, IL