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Margiana Petersen-Rockney

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Margiana Petersen-Rockney

20192026

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research Interests

Margiana is a political ecologist who studies climate equity and agrarian change. Margiana’s research examines adaptive capacity in working landscapes; agricultural responses to environmental change; and water and land use policy and racial equity in a changing climate. Through civically engaged research, teaching, and mentoring, Margiana aims to help dismantle the drivers of inequities, especially in rural places. Margiana grew up on a dairy goat farm in Massachusetts and worked in several non-profits before graduate school, primarily with immigrant and refugee farmers. At UC Berkeley, Margiana developed a collaborative research program and prioritized student mentorship. At EVST, she looks forward to teaching courses on the political ecology of agrifood systems, climate equity and justice, rural livelihoods, and environmental policy.

RESEARCH PROGRAM

  1. Social-ecological systems and climate change. I am particularly interested in the kinds of management practices implemented on “working landscapes” and their impact on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity conservation.
  2. Rural livelihoods and crises. Here I examine how rural agricultural communities in the US respond and adapt to the impacts of climate change - from water scarcity and unpredictable weather to changing demographics, policies, markets, and migrations. 
  3. Public institutions and (in)equity. I ask questions about the role of public institutions like County government or Cooperative Extension in defining and defending what is considered acceptable agriculture, who has power and control in those institutions - especially at the local level, and how that shapes access and equity as rural places transformation. 

Education/Academic qualification

Bachelor, Geology & Biology, Brown University

Doctorate, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley

Master, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger
  2. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  3. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
    SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  4. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  5. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action
  6. SDG 15 - Life on Land
    SDG 15 Life on Land
  7. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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