Environmental Justice

The faces highlighted by the environmental movement have not always represented the wide diversity of leaders within the field. This dearth in representation must be reckoned with if we are to address the crises of a changing climate. Environmental justice offers a path to change in how we shape the future and who is represented and working in environmental spaces.

Environmental justice communities across the country are fighting for their right to a safe, healthy, and liveable environment. Their efforts are far too often ignored by governments meant to protect their residents, with many of these communities facing an uphill battle in their fight for a better future. 

This summer, the Feminist Research Institute had the wonderful opportunity to host four undergraduate interns from UC Davis and UC Berkeley. As part of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) Workforce Innovation Program, Corinne Nicholson, Luna Hohner-Shields, Jennifer Lainez, and Ijada Nguyen worked under Dr.

We are excited to announce the release of a video series on Environmental Justice (EJ) Leaders. The series features the latest cohort of EJ Leaders; eight community members throughout the country working to bridge the gap between academic research and community work in an effort to fight environmental injustices.

With summer here, many are dealing with rising gas prices and high electricity bills. This is particularly stressful for families on a tight budget who can’t afford electric vehicles or new energy-saving appliances. Alec Castellano and Diamond Spratling, two participants in this year's UC Davis Environmental Justice (EJ) Leaders cohort, are working towards electric vehicle adoption and combating rising energy costs within communities of color.  

On the evening of May 19, 2023 beside the California State Capitol, over 60 graduate students, faculty, directors, and other environmental justice-focused personnel gathered to celebrate the newest cohort of Environmental Justice (EJ) Leaders.

The Environmental Justice Leaders program brings leaders working in environmental justice into dialogue and collaboration with the UC Davis research community. Fellows conduct research that benefits the community they serve, utilizing the expertise and resources at UC Davis. They are also participating in seminars, visiting classes, and speaking to the research community. The program is a collaboration between FRI, the Institute for Transportation Studies, and the Energy Efficiency Institute.

Community organizers, advocates, and practitioners from across the country are invited to apply to take part in the second year of the UC Davis Environmental Justice Leaders in Residence Program (formally EJ Fellowship Program). EJ leaders from across the country will work on a project of benefit to their community in partnership with researchers. Participants will network with elected officials, policymakers, and industry leaders.

EJ Leaders selected to this program can expect to

The Environmental Justice Fellows program brings leaders working in environmental justice into dialogue and collaboration with the UC Davis research community. Fellows conduct research that benefits the community they serve, utilizing the expertise and resources at UC Davis. They are also participating in seminars, visiting classes, and speaking to the research community. The program is a collaboration between FRI, the Institute for Transportation Studies, and the Energy Efficiency Institute.

Martha Armas-Kelly

We are proud to announce that FRI Associate Director Sarah McCullough will direct the newly-formed UC Davis Environmental Justice Fellows program. McCullough will work with campus transportation, energy and environmental researchers, as well as community activists and organizations to foster collaborative development within the environmental justice community on-campus and beyond.