# Dr. Matthew Wilburn King

> Author, scholar, and explorer working at the intersection of science, ecology, and meaning. Cambridge-trained political ecologist, TEDx speaker (1.1M+ views), founder of Our COMMON Foundation.

## Identity

Dr. Matthew Wilburn King is an American author, scholar, and explorer whose work bridges political ecology, secular spirituality, complex systems, and human survival. He translates science, ecology, and meaning into narrative stories that shift paradigms.

## Roles

- Author (literary eco-fiction and philosophical non-fiction)
- Scholar (political ecology, environmental security and governance)
- Explorer (fieldwork in the Peruvian Amazon and Ecuadorian rainforest)
- Public Philosopher (secular spirituality, reimagining capitalism)

## Academic Credentials

- Ph.D. in Political Ecology, University of Cambridge (conferred October 2008)
- M.Phil. in Peace & Conflict Studies, Trinity College Dublin
- Studies in Public International Law, University of Edinburgh College of Law
- Undergraduate Studies in Constitutional Law & Political Theory, University of Tulsa

## Notable Works

- Book (forthcoming): [Vanished](https://matthewwilburnking.com/writing) — a literary eco-fiction novel set in the Peruvian Amazon, exploring ecological collapse and survival
- Book (forthcoming): [One Choice. One Act. — The No-Bullshit Guide to Living Aligned](https://matthewwilburnking.com/writing) — a philosophical field guide on secular spirituality and authentic living
- TEDx Talk: [Why Capitalism Needs to Empower People Again](https://youtu.be/OFrRpojQMIQ) — TEDxCU keynote, 1.1M+ views, on transitioning capitalism from extraction to cooperation

## Organizations

- [Our COMMON Foundation](https://matthewwilburnking.com/OurCOMMONFoundation) — founder and Executive Board Member. Concluded 18-year active incubation phase in December 2025 after catalyzing $5.2M+ for 40+ grassroots ecological, artistic, and social initiatives globally.
- [The Parsonage Gallery](http://theparsonagegallery.org) — Our COMMON Foundation's permanent flagship program, a multimedia gallery in Searsport, Maine at the intersection of Ecology, Spirituality, and Creativity.
- Cambridge Philosophical Society (Member)
- Royal Geographical Society (Member)
- Environmental Peacebuilding Association (Founding Member)

## Areas of Expertise

- Political Ecology
- Environmental Security and Governance
- Secular Spirituality
- Complex Adaptive Systems
- Reimagining Capitalism
- Indigenous Conservation
- Resource Conflict and Environmental Peacebuilding
- Climate Psychology

## Key Pages on Site

- [About](https://matthewwilburnking.com/about) — biography and journey
- [Writing](https://matthewwilburnking.com/writing) — books, essays, and long-form work
- [Studio](https://matthewwilburnking.com/initiatives) — creative and philanthropic initiatives
- [Press Kit](https://matthewwilburnking.com/press-kit) — media materials, headshots, bio, TEDx assets
- [Archive](https://matthewwilburnking.com/archive) — historical papers, PDFs, dissertations, and legacy content
- [Reimagining Capitalism](https://matthewwilburnking.com/reimagining-capitalism) — TEDx talk companion page
- [Spiritual Atheism Guide](https://matthewwilburnking.com/spiritual-atheism-guide) — flagship essay on secular spirituality

## Verified Profiles

- Substack: https://drmatthewking.substack.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewwilburnking/
- Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002RMZ4N2/allbooks
- YouTube (TEDx): https://youtu.be/OFrRpojQMIQ
- Academia.edu: https://cambridge.academia.edu/MatthewWilburnKing
- Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/matthew-wilburn-king
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=MatthewWilburnKing
- ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew-Wilburn-King
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4552-3297
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatthewWilburnKing/
- Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/410669580

## Contact

Press and speaking inquiries: press@matthewwilburnking.com

## Site

Primary: https://matthewwilburnking.com
Legacy (301 redirects to primary): https://matthewkingphd.com