About

I am fascinated by the urban environment and the opportunities it offers for environmental education and community-based environmental stewardship. I grew up in Siberia and the Caucasus, Russia and did my undergraduate work at Tomsk State University majoring in environmental science. In 2006 I completed my Master's degree and now I am working on my PhD at Cornell University.

My current research focuses on outcomes of urban environmental education such as sense of place. I use surveys and narrative inquiry to collect data in community-based organizations in the Bronx, New York City. These organizations are trying to reconnect inner-city youth and other residents of diverse communities with the environment, and contribute to youth development through environmental stewardship, urban recreation, citizen science, and other activities.

To learn more, visit my research website: www.UrbanEE.org and blog www.UrbanEE.wordpress.com

Interests

• Urban and after-school environmental education
• Community-based and participatory research
• Environmental stewardship and restoration
• Sense of place, social capital
  
• Green infrastructure, pro-environmental behavior
  
• Ecosystem services, human well-being
• Social-ecological systems, innovations, and resilience

Contact

Department of Natural Resources
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853