Areas of Focus

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the environmental sector

My overarching focus is to emphasize diverse voices, equity, inclusion, and just practices in the environmental sector. I do so by identifying:

  • Strategies that elevate those who face systemic barriers to environmental work,

  • Practices that foster collaboration among groups with divergent views, and

  • Indicators of how individuals and organizations embody DEIJ in their work.

Climate action and resilience

I also study the processes through which climate education, mitigation, and adaptation approaches create resilient and just societal outcomes. I do so by examining:

  • How multi-stakeholder partnerships engage vulnerable groups in resilience planning,

  • The unique lived experiences of climate change in different place-based contexts, and

  • The relationship between climate action, social, economic, and environmental wellbeing.

Learning from the environment

I am interested in people’s interactions with natural environments and the impacts on their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacities as lifelong learners. Specific foci include examining:

  • STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning opportunities in people’s daily lives,

  • Strategies to democratize science learning in various environments people encounter, and

  • Mechanisms by which nature fosters knowledge, environmental action, and skill development.

  • • Qualitative and quantitative methods: To comprehensively understand a specific phenomenon.

    • Cultural responsiveness: To pay attention to the priorities of specific contexts and adapt to emerging needs.

    • Collaborative and participatory strategies: To co-create knowledge, share learning, and promote ownership.

    • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice for everyone: Is embedded in every aspect of my work.

  • Specific activities include:

    • Proposing and testing new theory in conservation psychology, environmental education, informal education, evaluation methods, and other areas, to build generalizable knowledge

    • Applying research findings to inform practice in close collaboration with partners

    • Creating new theory in applied settings, including in evaluation contexts

  • I aim to learn how programs and interventions impact intended audiences and their ability to create positive change. Specific activities include:
    • Proposal development

    • Developing a theory of change

    • Creating an evaluation framework

    • Identifying outcomes and indicators

    • Process and impact studies

    • Setting up monitoring systems, and

    • Disseminating findings widely

  • American Evaluation Association

    • Program Chair, Environmental Program Evaluation Topical Interest Group

    Earth Science Information Partners

    • Co-Chair, Community Resilience Cluster

    The Climigration Network

    • Member, Research, Innovation, and Evaluation Workgroup

  • Media articles and podcasts here