Matt Hern - Life

Life

Hern was born in Victoria and grew up in rural British Columbia. After attending Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario he briefly worked in journalism in New York City before moving to Vancouver. Hern has an ongoing relationship with the Institute for Social Ecology in Vermont, initially as student and now as a long-time faculty member, working with Murray Bookchin among others. Hern holds a PhD in Urban Studies and continues to teach in a variety of universities, but primarily writes and works in community organizing. He has founded and led a number of influential projects including: an innovative alternative school, a youth centre for arts and activism, an intercultural youth exchange, a series of city-wide community festivals, a literary magazine, a network of urban agriculture projects, and several other neighbourhood initiatives. His work continues to make a significant impact on radical organizing, education and community development theory. Hern has developed an international reputation as a lecturer and writer, has been translated in ten languages, and works with a wide range of community groups and activist organizations, but remains based in East Vancouver where he lives with his partner and daughters.