Education
Postdoc, University of Arizona + The Earth Commission
PhD in Geography, University of Colorado, Boulder
MA in Environmental Studies, Dartmouth College
BA in Communications, American University
I am a critical geographer exploring intersections of climate adaptation, global climate policy, conservation, markets and justice. Theoretically, I draw on political ecology, science and technology studies, and critical development geography. My research examines the evolution of climate finance, and the incorporation of tech industry interests, venture capital, and new technologies, with a particular focus on carbon removal, markets and offsets.
I am Associate Director of the Soil Carbon Solutions Center at Colorado State University, with a joint faculty appointment in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability where I teach graduate and MBA courses on greenhouse gas policy and carbon finance, and where I founded the Carbon Finance Bootcamp.
I’ve taught at Northeastern University’s D'amore-McKim School of Business, the University of Arizona, and University of Colorado, Boulder. And I regularly consult with governments, NGOs, financial institutions, foundations and start-ups on climate and environmental policy.
As a researcher, I've conducted mixed methods field research in the Peruvian Amazon, on Cuban organic farms, throughout Maine's forests, at the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change, and at countless civil society meetings around the world.
After earning my Master’s degree I spent three years managing the Climate Justice Research Project at Dartmouth College. I began my career as a newspaper reporter for two of Maine’s (best!) weekly newspapers: The Mount Desert Islander and the Ellsworth American.
I am a long-time volunteer with the global Climate Justice Now! network, working to build capacity for marginalized populations within the UNFCCC. I advised the Fijian delegation negotiating the climate finance tract of the Paris Agreement at COP21.
From 2019-2021 I produced and hosted the art & environment podcast Carbon Social Club.