cat ~/about.md
Public administration, grounded in practice
I'm a professor of public administration at Cal State Fullerton. I teach, write, and build partnerships at the intersection of environmental policy, public management, and institutional change, with a focus on how agencies respond when the ground shifts under them.
head ~/research
Research
I study how institutions adapt to climate disruption, fossil fuel dependence, and emerging technologies. Current projects look at oil and gas oversight, equity in state climate investments, real-time policing tech, and how blockchain fits (or doesn't) with democratic accountability.
My work appears in journals such as Environmental Policy and Governance, Policy Studies Journal, and Administrative Theory & Praxis. Full publication list →
head ~/teaching
Teaching & public service
I teach courses in public administration, policy process, and collaborative governance for undergraduates and graduates, many of whom are working professionals preparing for public leadership. I try to keep the work rigorous and practical, tied to the challenges people face in cities, counties, and community organizations.
I grew up in the South and now live in California. I still find time to hike, fish, think about democracy, and read The Bitter Southerner. Public service isn't abstract to me—it's personal, political, and deeply human work.
cat ~/.plan
Current work
I'm leading or co-leading projects on:
- Directing Cal State Fullerton's MPA and undergraduate PA programs
- Regulatory performance in oil and gas states
- Climate investment implementation and inter-agency coordination
- Administrative resilience under democratic stress
- Blockchain, surveillance tech, and the reshaping of public authority
[dadams@titan ~]$ finger dadams
- Login
- dadams
- Name
- David P. Adams
- Office
- Gordon Hall 516
- Calendar
- dadams.io/appointments
- Phone
- 657‑278‑4770