In the realm of traditional narratives surrounding falconry, there lies a persistent portrayal of falconers as relics of the past, living on the fringes of modern society. 

People think they know this story. 

But when you pull back the curtain it's actually about so much more. 

The history of falconry is not a hunting story, I tell my students—it's a story of how humans have imagined themselves, society and the natural world. The very fabric of our modern society—the values we hold most dear—can be traced back to falconry. Diplomacy, governance based not on force but on reason and negotiation, the foundations of trust, loyalty, and social cohesion—these are not purely human inventions. They have been shaped and refined through centuries of interaction with falcons, through the practices and principles that this ancient tradition has instilled in those who have mastered it.

 Through my teaching at NYU Abu Dhabi, I challenge static views of tradition, showing how practices like falconry continue to influence social dynamics, collective memory, and the ways we engage with our world. By bringing my research into the classroom, I invite students to see the past not as something distant, but as a living thread that shapes our present and future.

My approach has shaped international conversations on education and pedagogy, from contributing to Italy’s national initiative on teaching Intangible Heritage, to being featured by the Hillary Ballon Center for Teaching and Learning at NYUAD, and H-Farm Education’s “Future of Education Series”. Recognized across disciplines, my work bridges research and education, rethinking how knowledge is transmitted and traditions are kept alive.

“The depth and breath of the topic discussed is extraordinary.”

The National, November 29, 2019