Scholarly Work

Education

Ph.D. in Education Studies, University of Cincinnati Expected 2026     

Master of Environmental Education, University of Minnesota - Duluth  2021- 2023

B.A in Religion with Peace Studies Minor, Gustavus Adolphus College   2009-2013

  • Graduated Magna Cum Laude, GPA: 3.8

  • Thesis: "Environmentalism's Missing Piece: Connecting Human Suffering and Environmental Degradation"

Academic Appointments

Editorial Assistant, Children, Youth & Environments Journal, University of Cincinnati (August 2023 - present) 

Graduate Research Assistant, Arlitt Center for Education, Research & Sustainability, University of Cincinnati (August 2023 - present) 

Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant, University of MN Duluth (August 2021 - June 2023)

Peer Reviewed Publications

Underwood, C., Ernst., J. Meyer, N. (in press, 2025) Exploring teachers’ perceptions of empathy development in nature preschools in Minnesota. Children, Youth and Environments, 35(1).

Ernst, J., Underwood, C., Wojciehowski, M., & Nayquonabe, T. (2024). Empathy capacity-building through a Community of Practice approach: Exploring perceived impacts and implications. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, 5(3), Article 3.https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5030027

Ernst, J., Underwood, C., & Nayquonabe, T. (2023). Everyone has a piece of the story: A Community of Practice approach for supporting early childhood educators’ capacity for fostering empathy in young children through nature-based early learning. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 11(1), 34–62.

Ernst, J., Curran, C., & Budnik, L. (2022). Investigating the impact of preschool type on young children’s empathy. Sustainability, 14, 1-17. doi.org/10.3390/su14159320

Other Publications

Underhill, A., Underwood, C. (in press, 2025). Walking daily with wonder: Engaging teachers and children in the art and science of phenology. Exchange Press. 

Carr, V., Underwood, C. (2024). Nature play: Early childhood and beyond [White Paper]. The Child’s Right to Play: The IPA USA 50th Annivesary Whitepaper. https://ipausa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IPA-USA-50th-Anniversary-White-Paper.pdf 

Funded Grants

National & International Peer Reviewed Presentations

Underwood, C.; Konerman, R. (2024, November 5-6). Group Level Assessment: A Participatory Approach in Action. North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium. Pittsburgh, PA. Workshop.

Underwood, C.; Rossmiller, A.; Carr, V. (2024, November 5-6). Nature-Based Early Learning in a Changing Climate: Impacts and Adaptations. North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium. Pittsburgh, PA. Poster Presentation. 

Underwood, C. (2024, November 5-6). Nature-Based Early Learning in a Changing Climate: Impacts and Adaptations. North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium. Pittsburgh, PA. Roundtable Discussion. 

Carr, V; Underwood, C. A dialogue on eco-centric views of nature play. International Association for the Child’s Right to Play Annual Conference. Greenville, South Carolina. Presentation. 

Underwood, C; Wojciehowski, M. (2024, August 1-2). All relatives share empathy: Nurturing teacher and child empathy outdoors, Natural Start Alliance Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. Presentation. 

Rossmiller, A; Underwood, C; Konerman, R. (2024, August 1-2). Embracing the cold: Supporting children’s development and connection to nature through snow play, Natural Start Alliance Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. Presentation.  

Kochanowski, L; Konerman, R; Underwood, C (2024). From theory to practice: Unpacking the pedagogical principles of Early Childhood Education for Sustainability, Natural Start Alliance Annual Conference, Virtual Session. 

Underwood, C; Nayquonabe, T; Ernst, J. (2024). Everyone has a piece of the story: Convening a Community of Practice to honor traditional knowledge and support nature connection. Children and Nature Network Nature Everywhere Conference, Madison, WI. Presentation.

Ernst, J; Underwood, C. (2023). Capacity-building through a Community of Practice approach. North American Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference. Virtual Presentation. 

Underwood, C. (2023). Grounded theory methodology in action: Utilizing member checking to co-construct knowledge. North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium. Virtual Live Workshop. 

Underwood, C; Ernst, J. (2023). Fostering empathy in early childhood: Investigating the impact of preschool type. Natural Start Alliance Annual Conference, Virtual Poster.  

Underwood, C. (2023). Stories and strategies: Strengthening empathy in early childhood and beyond. Natural Start Alliance Annual Conference. Virtual Workshop. 

Underwood, C. (2023). Towards a grounded theory of empathy development in nature preschools. Natural Start Graduate Student Network Virtual Research Roundtable. Invited Panelist. 

Underwood, C. (2022). Deepening empathy through a Community of Practice approach. North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Tucson, AZ. Roundtable Discussion.

Underwood, C; Ernst, J. (2022). Fostering empathy in nature preschools: A quantitative exploration of impact. North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Tucson, AZ. Poster Presentation.

Underwood, C. (2023). "Rooted in community: Towards a grounded theory of empathy development in nature preschools," UMD College of Education and Human Service Professions, Research and Scholarship Showcase, Duluth, MN. Poster Presentation.

Curran, C; Ernst, J. (2022). "Fostering empathy for people & animals: The promise of nature preschools," UMD College of Education and Human Service Professions, Research and Scholarship Showcase, Duluth, MN. Poster Presentation.

Curran, C. (2022). UMD College of Education and Human Service Professions, Research and Scholarship Showcase, Duluth, MN. Invited Panelist. 

Curran, C. (2021). "Climate conversation: Moving through grief to action," UMD Office of Sustainability. Workshop Session.

Practitioner Dissemination

Underwood (PI). Nature-based early learning in a changing climate: Equipping teachers for a new normal. University of Cincinnati, University Research Council. $7,500. 05/01/24-08/01/24

Ernst (PI). Wiijigaabawitaadidaa Niigaan Izhaayang (Moving Forward Together) Community of Practice. Northland Foundation. $31,975. 8/01/2023 - 6/30/2024. Consultant. 

Ernst (PI), Underwood (Co-PI).  Reflecting on and documenting the impact of the deepening empathy Community of Practice project. Woodland Park Zoological Society. $13,452. 01/2024 - 01/2025.

Ernst (PI), Underwood (Co-PI).  Deepening empathy practices with Indigenous perspectives through a Community of Practice approach. Woodland Park Zoological Society. $50,000. 09/2022 - 09/2023.

Underwood, C (2024, April 27). All relatives share empathy: Infusing an empathy-based pedagogy into your teaching practice, Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors Annual Conference, Duluth, Minnesota. Keynote.

Nayquonabe, T; Underwood, C (2024). “Breathing with the world: Deepening empathy practices with Indigenous perspectives,” Natural Curiosity, Toronto, Canada. Webinar.

Underwood, C (2024). “A Two-Worlds approach to nurturing empathy in young children,” Green Teacher, Podcast Interview.   

Wojciehowski, M; Nayquonabe, T; Underwood, C; Ernst, J. “Deepening empathy practices with Indigenous perspectives through a Community of Practice approach,” Capacity Building Grant Presentations with the ACE Network. Virtual Presentation. 

Underwood, C. (2022). "Empathetic by nature: The power of nature play to foster empathy,"  Minnesota Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference, Finland, MN. Workshop Session. 

Local and Regional Presentations

Scholarships and Awards

Master of Environmental Education Outstanding Graduate Student, 2023, University of Minnesota Duluth.

UMD Steven Tickle Sunshine Fund Scholarship, 2023, $500 to attend the 2022 North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium.

William B Stapp Scholarship Recipient, 2022, covered the registration fee to attend the 2022 North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium.

Teaching

University of Cincinnati

Instructor of Record, Fall 2024

  • ECE 4070: Nature Pedagogy, Assessment, and Program Evaluation

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Instructor of Record, Spring 2022

  • ENED 4555: Foundations of Environmental Education prepares students to teach in formal settings. 

    • Adapted course to integrate DEI learning and reflection opportunities throughout the semester.

Guest Lectures

  • ENED 1500: Children, Nature, & Sustainability, Spring 2023

  • ENED 5850: Classroom Applications, Fall 2022

  • HLTH 2200: Research and Evaluation, Fall 2021 

Wind Ridge Schoolhouse - Duluth, MN

Nature Preschool Teaching Intern, Winter - Spring 2022

  • Led small group learning opportunities outdoors.

  • Supported children in communicating their needs, navigating conflict, taking risks, and engaging in peaceful play