Throughout my educational development I have been intrigued by different levels of human-environment interactions. I have further expanded these interests through coursework and my exposure to Milwaukee’s pronounced poverty and vast array of inequalities. Consequently, I have become interested in the processes of contemporary urban change and the complex social, political and economic structures, processes and relationships that (re)shape the city. In particular, I focus on examining how such complex dynamics play out at the urban neighborhood scale in low income, deindustrialized and underinvested neighborhoods and how, in turn, diverse urban actors respond to socio-economic and environmental challenges associated with these contemporary processes and changes.

My dissertation research engaged with the process of advancing social and environmental justice through brownfields redevelopment in Milwaukee’s disadvantaged communities. The Menomonee Valley and the 30th Street Industrial Corridor, the two most environmentally degraded and economically disinvested large-scale areas in Milwaukee, were the focus of my dissertation research. Despite the areas’ many social, economic and physical commonalities, the formulation process and nature of redevelopment objectives have been substantially different at the two projects. I explored what accounted for this distinct local variation and its implications for influencing urban change.

I am strongly committed to integrating research, teaching and community service. My commitment to scholarship of engagement has been strongly influenced by my exposure to Milwaukee’s pronounced inequalities and engagement with local groups that reverse such trends through organizing and political and legislative actions. This first-hand exposure made me firmly believe in the need to combine education, research and community engagement to inform policies, affect urban change and enhance participation of underrepresented groups in urban redevelopment agendas. To facilitate these goals I co-initiated a community-university partnership as well as engaged in a project with a Milwaukee-based policy research institution.

My future research, teaching and community service will expand upon my interests in civic groups – such as Lexington’s Catholic Action Center – which seek to addresses the needs of the urban poor, including homelessness, poverty and hunger.