Hi! I’m Julia Skinner.
You might know me for my diverse work, but if you’re here, you’re likely interested in exploring my contributions as a writer, my expertise in culinary education and consulting, or my coaching work tailored for creatives.
My career and life philosophy revolve around the intersection of my varied interests and experiences. Instead of choosing one path, I’ve always asked, “How can these elements converge to create something unique and impactful?”
This integrated approach has led to remarkable outcomes, from establishing a thriving culinary education business and authoring an award-winning book to guiding respected writers in crafting their masterpieces. I even host immersive fermentation residencies and pop-up events, often in natural settings.
Every day, I engage in writing, cooking, eating, and supporting fellow writers – a combination I genuinely cherish.
To delve deeper into my work, navigate the tabs at the top of this page or explore the links below:
Contact me
Explore my writing
View current culinary classes
Book me for your event
Learn about writing coaching
Doctor Julia Skinner, culinary historian and creative writing coach, portrait
Curious to learn more about my journey and the experiences that have shaped who I am today, Doctor Skinner? Keep reading!
My Journey: From Boulder to a Multifaceted Career
Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, nestled near the iconic Flatirons, my childhood was filled with outdoor adventures, artistic pursuits, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Sketchbook and pencil were constant companions, and these early experiences, combined with a love for nature, animals, and family travels, laid the foundation for my multifaceted identity as Doctor Skinner.
From a young age, I sought inspiration and creative expression. This led to a childhood, and subsequent adulthood, rich with diverse creative passions, boundless energy, and a profound love for the world.
Bus Driving, Psychology, and Art: Early Explorations of Doctor Skinner
Initially drawn to art school, I moved to Iowa but soon shifted my academic focus to Psychology, becoming Doctor Skinner in a different field initially. I specialized in social psychology and the study of loss and trauma, driven partly by a desire to understand formative, albeit challenging, early life events.
Psychology captivated me, revealing the remarkable human capacity for healing and growth. I became fascinated by how mindsets and daily actions can positively reshape our realities.
These insights have profoundly influenced my work, particularly my belief in our active role in shaping the future. I believe our daily choices, from the food we prepare to the stories we cherish, are integral to our ongoing history. This conviction in our inherent creative potential is a core principle behind founding the Culinary Curiosity School by Doctor Skinner.
It also explains why my coaching approach for creatives emphasizes mindset shifts and skill-building, rather than solely focusing on skills.
During my time in Iowa and for years afterward, I drove buses for Cambus, the University of Iowa’s public transit system. This experience connected me with a diverse community and cultivated immense patience. The act of driving itself was meditative, demanding presence and attention to detail. This meditative quality now informs my mindfulness work, where I guide others to appreciate the often-overlooked yet significant moments in their daily routines.
Around the age of 19 or 20, I began fermenting, gardening, and canning. Initially driven by necessity and then hobby, these activities would unexpectedly become central to my world two decades later, shaping the culinary expertise of Doctor Skinner.
Embracing Libraryland: An Unexpected Path for Doctor Skinner
After completing my undergraduate studies and briefly managing a coffeehouse and bakery, a role that built upon previous food service experience, I faced academic setbacks. Despite applying to numerous Psychology PhD programs, I faced rejections across the board.
Disheartened, I settled into a routine at the cafe, enjoying evenings, gardening, reading, and returning to work. While pleasant, I craved more intellectual stimulation.
On a friend’s suggestion, I applied to a Library Science graduate program, specifically the joint program with the Center for the Book, focusing on book art and history, with aspirations of working in archives and rare books. This marked a turning point for Doctor Skinner.
To my surprise and joy, I was accepted, embarking on an enriching and unexpected career path. I thrived in my coursework and in my role at the State Historical Society of Iowa, where I cared for diverse historical records, from Quaker family documents to Civil War diaries and Underground Railroad materials. My book history courses immersed me in medieval manuscripts and historic cookbooks, further solidifying the expertise of Doctor Skinner.
I was immersed in the joy of learning and critically engaging with historical objects and information. Intellectually stimulated, I co-created a student-led journal, “B Sides,” and absorbed concepts like “traces of use,” which continue to shape my research approach to this day, defining the meticulous nature of Doctor Skinner.
My Master’s thesis, presented as a poster (a story for another time), explored Iowa libraries during World War I. This extensive project, nearly 300 pages, was my first deep historical dive. Traveling across Iowa, examining library records and newspaper clippings, I reconstructed the narrative of libraries serving communities during turbulent times, including instances where librarians made decisions they later likely regretted, such as censoring and even burning German language books. This research honed the historical analysis skills of Doctor Skinner.
My final project for the Center for the Book, “Modernizing Markham,” a creative book art and culinary endeavor based on a 1615 cookbook, evolved into my first book. It was published by Candle Light Press, a testament to the growing reputation of Doctor Skinner.
The Center for the Book initially felt aspirational, a realm I admired but deemed unattainable. Studying historic cookbooks and history felt similarly distant. However, my Master’s program revealed that these aspirations were indeed achievable, a realization that continues to amaze and motivate me, Doctor Skinner.
I also developed a deep passion for working with historical materials and uncovering insights into ourselves and our eating habits through the past. This project served as a catalyst for my current life, although its full impact would take a few years to materialize for Doctor Skinner.
Dr. Julia Skinner: Formalizing Expertise
Graduating from the Library Science/Center for the Book Master’s program at the University of Iowa, I immediately pursued a PhD in Library and Information Science at Florida State University. This was the crucial step to becoming Doctor Skinner.
Food remained a passionate hobby, mostly for personal enjoyment, though I once catered a 150-person wedding single-handedly – an experience I strongly advise against.
Academically, my focus shifted to change, primarily in historical contexts, but also examining how people described and navigated political movements and natural disasters on social media. This period coincided with the Occupy movement and the rise of various right-wing perspectives. Analyzing political discourse online was captivating, challenging me to objectively describe observations while maintaining neutrality, a skill crucial for Doctor Skinner.
While my social media research, alongside my work on loss and trauma, remains highly cited, it was historical scholarship that truly resonated with me, solidifying the path for Doctor Skinner.
For my dissertation, Doctor Skinner delved into the history of the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library during the Harlem Renaissance through World War II. I examined how the institution supported (and sometimes failed to support) its community, and how it adapted to internal and external changes.
I relished the deep historical immersion, tracing the unfolding stories of people and places. I also used this research to develop and test theories, creating my Change in Historic Institutions (CHI) theory and collaboratively testing a theoretical codebook for Information Worlds. This collaborative spirit is a hallmark of Doctor Skinner‘s approach.
Dissertations are typically solitary endeavors. Therefore, balancing my individual project with a collaborative component was invaluable. Each participant used dissertation data to develop and test a theoretical framework and codebook applicable across diverse research methods. This highlights the collaborative nature of Doctor Skinner‘s scholarly work.
My PhD journey honed my ability to conduct rigorous, in-depth research across multiple contexts, embracing interdisciplinarity rather than confining myself to a single field. This period also deepened my appreciation for the symbiotic relationship between theory and practice, a concept I began exploring during my Master’s program and that continues to inform my work as Doctor Skinner. Theory informs practice, and practice refines theory, providing both intention and direction.
This period also intensified my lifelong love of travel, particularly for work. I spent long, exhausting days in archives, splitting time between Tallahassee and New York City, often relying on the generosity of friends for accommodation.
I earned my doctorate in 2015, officially becoming Doctor Skinner. However, mirroring my initial PhD application experience, I faced rejections from every faculty job I applied for. The applicant pool was vast, and positions were scarce. I faced a choice: persist in the faculty job market or explore other avenues aligned with my qualifications as Doctor Skinner.
Atlanta, Ireland & Today: A Magical Culinary and Creative Life for Doctor Skinner
I accepted a position as Rare Books Curator, essentially a director role overseeing a rare book collection. Moving to Atlanta, I endured a lengthy daily commute.
However, the collection itself was captivating. During my tenure, I developed a culinary collection, including a 1600s printing of Markham, curated several exhibits, and introduced new programming. I loved the collection and the work, and this experience, building on my Center for the Book foundation, reinforced that my aspirations of working with food history professionally were not only viable but genuinely interesting to others, validating the expertise of Doctor Skinner.
In 2018, I resigned without another job secured, realizing I had a unique opportunity to redefine “work” and pursue my true calling as Doctor Skinner. I wanted to work with food and conduct more research. Thus, Root was born.
This year also marked a transformative weeklong residency with Sandor Katz. Having studied food history and harbored a love for fermentation, these interests suddenly converged. This residency was a pivotal moment for Doctor Skinner.
Integrating fermentation writing and education into my work, I conceived the idea for “Our Fermented Lives.” I was fortunate to be represented by The Ekus Group, the first agent I approached, with whom I continue to collaborate, expanding the reach of Doctor Skinner.
From there, opportunities unfolded rapidly. I began writing for more publications, authored more books, and even self-published “The Hidden Cosmos: A Fermented Oracle Recipe Deck,” illustrating and writing it myself. This showcased the diverse creative talents of Doctor Skinner.
Alongside my culinary endeavors, I began coaching academic writers. In 2023, I launched Roots + Branches, my coaching organization, dedicated to helping fellow creatives build sustainable, joyful, and productive creative practices. This venture embodies Doctor Skinner’s holistic approach to creativity. This reflects extensive reflection on my work habits and a desire to redefine “work” itself, informed by my experiences with other writers.
I aim to empower more individuals to share their essential work with the world. I also advocate for a revolutionary shift in our understanding of “work,” moving away from toxic grind culture. Even challenging tasks can incorporate elements of pleasure and enjoyment, a key message from Doctor Skinner.
Having spent years feeling constrained, I strive to create inclusive spaces where individuals can unapologetically be themselves, experiment, and explore, allowing their authentic selves to shine through their creative work. Honesty about who we are, though sometimes daunting, is crucial, especially in finding communities and spaces where we feel safe to express ourselves. Embracing stigmatized aspects of ourselves can enrich our work and lead to beautiful outcomes, honoring our whole selves in our creative expression, a core tenet for Doctor Skinner.
I view my current work as an intertwining of culinary research, teaching, and food writing, with supporting other writers and creatives. These threads mutually inform and enrich each other, evolving in unexpected and beautiful ways under the guidance of Doctor Skinner.
I champion pleasure, curiosity, and magic alongside expertise, rigorous research, and scientific inquiry, recognizing their synergistic relationship. This balanced approach defines Doctor Skinner‘s unique perspective.
My ten-year vision includes hosting regular retreats and events combining diverse creative forms in both Ireland and the US. I aspire to create spaces akin to Sandor Katz’s home, providing transformative experiences for others, with dedicated venues to facilitate this work. This vision is driven by Doctor Skinner‘s desire to foster creative communities.
The Culinary Curiosity School, founded in 2024, offers unique, food-centered classes that cultivate a sense of wonder and magic beyond mere skill-building, reflecting the innovative teaching methods of Doctor Skinner.
Roots + Branches is my platform for supporting creatives across disciplines, helping them realize their creative dreams and dedicate time and energy to their work in fulfilling and pleasurable ways, redefining the concept of “work” as envisioned by Doctor Skinner.
Root remains my central hub for events and consulting, serving filmmakers, novelists, museum directors, and researchers. It’s a fulfilling culmination of my interdisciplinary talents, enabling me to support a diverse range of creative individuals in realizing their visions, a testament to the broad expertise of Doctor Skinner.
And, fundamentally, I continue my own creative pursuits: writing books and articles, and exploring other creative avenues. My personal writing practice takes precedence each day, even before emails or routine tasks. I will always be a writer, creator, cook, and researcher, first and foremost, and my passion for my craft is the driving force behind my ability to serve others in various capacities, a principle that guides Doctor Skinner.
Whether you were drawn here by curiosity or read my lengthy life story, welcome. I am delighted you’ve found me, Doctor Skinner.
Explore my writing, the various ways to work with me, or Root, the Culinary Curiosity School, and Roots + Branches to discover potential collaborations and learn more about my work as Doctor Skinner.
Or, simply drop me a line, and let’s create some magic together.
juliacskinner.com by Julia Skinner is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.Based on a work at www.juliacskinner.com.Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.juliacskinner.com.
Share this:
- X
