Maria Kennedy is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of American Studies at Rutgers University New Brunswick where she oversees the certificate in Curation and Cultural Programming. She teaches classes on topics including American Folklore, Cultural Media Production (Podcasting and Sound Cultures); American Food, and Cultural Event Planning. Dr. Kennedy studies the theory and practice of folklore and public humanities, with interests in landscape, agriculture, food studies, performance theory, festival, folk arts, and anthropology of media. Her upcoming book project explores the interplay of cultural heritage and environmental conservation in rural Britain through examination of orchard landscapes and the craft cider industry. For more about Dr. Kennedy’s research and projects, visit ciderwithmaria.com or follower her on Instagram @ciderwithmaria.