Advancing Environmental Governance

My research examines the intersection of collaborative governance, environmental justice, and policy implementation—with particular focus on water and energy systems. I investigate how institutional design and stakeholder networks influence environmental outcomes across watersheds and fossil fuel regions.

Currently, I'm leading a national-scale project analyzing collaborative watershed management across the U.S., examining how these partnerships impact water quality outcomes. This work is under contract with Cambridge University Press and aims to provide a comprehensive framework for effective environmental collaboration.

Research Focus

My work bridges theory and practice in environmental governance through three interconnected streams:

Collaborative Water Governance

I examine how diverse stakeholders collaborate across watershed boundaries to address complex water quality challenges. My research maps institutional networks, identifies successful coordination mechanisms, and measures tangible environmental improvements resulting from these partnerships.

Energy Policy & Environmental Justice

Using spatial analysis of inspection data, I investigate how energy extraction impacts vulnerable communities. This work explores regulatory enforcement patterns, orphaned well distribution, and community resistance to fossil fuel development with particular attention to equity dimensions.

Public Safety & Technology Governance

I'm pioneering research on Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) and exploring blockchain applications for enhancing transparency in collaborative governance—focusing on accountability, trust-building, and equitable resource allocation across public institutions.

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Current Projects

Forthcoming Publications

  • "Does Disclosure Matter?" — Examining how information transparency drives environmental performance in Texas regulatory systems
  • "Pioneering Policy" — Analyzing multi-agency collaboration in California's Climate Investment Program (2015-2024)
  • "Inspector-Level Bureaucracy" — Investigating discretionary decision-making within state natural resource agencies
  • "Administrative Resilience Under Pressure" — Exploring how environmental governance institutions adapt to political and economic challenges
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Selected Publications