About Vaughan
Vaughan Wilkins is a ecopsychologist studying the impacts of the loss of ecological participation. A skilled and inventive educator with a strong background in facilitation, Vaughan has spent the last decade developing programming and curriculum designed to address and undo the impacts of enculturated captivity. A supporter of regenerative approaches to education, business, psychology, and environmental participation, Vaughan is a sought-after speaker on the future of human participation in systems design.
Vaughan currently teaches at the Kerulos Center for Nonviolence. The Kerulos Center for Nonviolence is a teaching center and sanctuary. The School for Nature offers guidance and tools for learning how to live in peace and health in unity with Nature. The School builds on over two decades of research and publications devoted to supporting Animal self-determination and dignity. The Sanctuary and Wildlife Refuge provides dignity and lifetime care for abused and disabled Animal refugees.
Prior to joining Kerulos Vaughan served as the department chair and lead curriculum designer for Summit Public Schools’ Concrete Next Step Program, which serves seven Bay Area high schools working to redefine pathways for students to live lives of wellness and purpose. His big picture thinking, and deep commitment to building empathy, empowerment, and belonging is evident in his curriculum design, professional development, and teaching style.
Prior to joining Summit Public Schools Vaughan founded and served as CEO of True North Canine Adventures, a successful dog training company that incorporated his zoo research and applied psychology lens to transform the welfare and care of dogs across the Bay Area.
In 2014 Vaughan sold his company and went on to pursue his doctoral study of ecopsychology. His research focuses on the juncture between human development, collective trauma, and ecotherapy. In 2018 and 2019 his theory of enculturated captivity and a corresponding series of therapeutic initiatives was piloted at six Bay Area high schools. Its powerful impacts on students saw it launched as an outdoor education course available to high schools nationwide called: Local Wilderness.
Vaughan holds a PhD in east-west psychology from The California Institute of Integral Studies, and an MA degree in the psychology of animal behavior from Hunter College.
Since beginning his doctoral research Vaughan has worked as a leader, mentor, facilitator and coach. He continues to bring his heart centered engagement to offering talks, trainings, and workshops to help people shake off the captivity of these unprecedented times, and come home to their senses.