Michael O'Flaherty is an independent consultant specialising in social science research and writing.
I hold a doctorate degree in Anthropology from the University of Toronto, specializing in ecological anthropology and African studies. My early work focused on ecological agriculture and forestry in Africa, with my dissertation being on community management of indigenous woodlands in southeastern Zimbabwe.
Currently i am working with aboriginal peoples on indigenous knowledge research and bringing results into planning for resource management activities. For instance, i helped Pikangikum First Nation with the development of their community-based land use plan, the first of its kind in Ontario, and helped draft a ground-breaking World Heritage nomination for the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation.
I am also an adjunct faculty member of the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba, assisting with graduate research.