Mariah Caballero
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Links
I am an interdisciplinary social scientist trained in community-based research for equitable policy implementation. Using a combination of geospatial methods and energy justice theories, my research investigates U.S. climate and energy policies and their impact on the inequitable distribution of energy costs, infrastructure, and inefficiencies in rural and coastal communities. I aim to develop community-defined policy and engagement strategies for the clean energy transition that prioritize rural livelihoods and well-being. My previous peer-reviewed research can be found in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Energy Policy, and Frontiers in Environmental Science.
My teaching focuses on interdisciplinary, immersive learning experiences that provide undergraduates with opportunities for critical thinking and the development of applicable skills. I am currently teaching ES-202 (Environmental Justice: A Community-Centric Approach), which blends theoretical environmental justice concepts with community case studies and introductory data visualization skills.
Beyond the academy, I strive to produce meaningful research for non-profit organizations, such as co-authoring a report on rural and Tribal community-defined decarbonization in Washington State, creating and maintaining geospatial maps on the Northwest Clean Energy Atlas, and serving as an equity and environmental justice technical contributor for the Oregon State Energy Strategy. I believe academia is a privilege, and research should be actionable, policy-relevant, and a service to our communities.
I earned my PhD from Vanderbilt University in Community Research and Action (CRA), and my undergraduate degrees in Biology and Geography from Vassar College.
Education
- B.A., Vassar College
- M.S., Vanderbilt University
- Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Current and upcoming courses
Environment and Society: Addressing Climate Change
ES102
This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to Environmental Studies, with a focus on climate change. Major concepts that will be examined include: the state of scientific research, the role of science, politics, and economics in environmental decision-making, and the importance of history, ethics, and justice in approaching climate change. The central aim of the course is to help students develop the interdisciplinary research skills necessary to pose questions, investigate problems, and develop strategies that will help us address our relationship to the environment.
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Geographies of Climate Resilience
ES314
Climate change manifests differently across scales, and effective solutions require an understanding of how local, regional, and federal actions interconnect. This seminar course invites students to examine both the challenges and opportunities associated with multi-scalar climate governance. Throughout the course, students will become experts on one topic of environmental governance (e.g., land, water, air, soil, climate) and use interdisciplinary research skills to assess environmental risks and progress toward addressing them across jurisdictional scales. The course culminates in the creation of a student-led State of the Environment report to facilitate a shared understanding of ongoing climate and environmental risks among government, private, and community-level stakeholders.