Our University of Texas team is composed of four undergraduate students, one graduate student, and three faculty members who all possess interdisciplinary backgrounds involving sustainability. Additional information about our University of Jordan team members is coming soon.
The Undergraduate Team
Sumaya (Email | LinkedIn) has explored her interests in international affairs through her positions as a Research Assistant examining civil society in Tunisia, a Research Intern at UT Austin’s Clark Center and UT Austin’s TexMUN Team Captain. She has also served as a teaching assistant for courses in various departments. Sumaya is currently writing her Plan II Honors Thesis on international avenues for justice for Syrians. As a native Arabic speaker, she will help navigate cultural sensitivities and linguistic barriers and lead the focus groups and the symposium.
Kisara (Email | LinkedIn) holds interdisciplinary experience in business and environmentalism, serving as the Director of Sustainability for the Sustainability Investing Group at UT and a former fellow in the Social Entrepreneurship Learning Lab. She will guide the formation of the Green Innovation Fund at the University of Jordan and the creation of the team’s podcast.
Abby (Email | LinkedIn) has a background rooted in technical research and entrepreneurship. She is a co-founder and head of R&D and operations at Plastica LLC, a former teaching assistant of Longhorn Startup, and involved with various energy-related research groups across campus. Abby has also interned at Lighthouse Solar Austin and EnCap Investments LP, gaining experience at the intersection of the energy industry and business. She will lead the team’s research, operations, and technical data analysis.
Tanya (Email | LinkedIn) is an advanced Arabic speaker and completed a summer exchange program in Jordan in 2018. She led the major data-collection effort on diversity in the Plan II Honors program. Additionally, Tanya is an undergraduate fellow for the Clements Center for National Security and has volunteered for The African Middle Eastern Leadership (AMEL) Project. She serves as the team’s partnerships and survey lead.
The Graduate Team
Noorah (Email | LinkedIn | Website) is a Ph.D. student in public policy at UT Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs. Her current area of research is at the intersection of climate policy, security, and development with a special regional focus on the Gulf monarchies. Noorah also holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from UT Austin, as well as degrees in Economics (MA, BBA) from Kuwait University. She advises the team in all aspects of the project.
Faculty Leader and Advisors
Dr. Eaton (Email | Website) has worked on water and environmental policy for over 50 years, including in the Middle East. He possesses a deep understanding of water-related technical innovations and implementations. Dr. Eaton has also taught as a Visiting Professor in Jordan and sends students regularly for field study in Jordan; he has evaluated UT-Austin’s sustainability programs and regularly involves his students in surveys/focus groups and digital documentaries. Dr. Eaton is the group’s Faculty Leader who aids on all fronts of the project.
Dr. Walenta (Email | Website) studies how economic institutions shape human-environment interactions. Her work investigates the intersectional impacts of sustainability policies on diverse populations and examines the mutual compatibility of business logic and environmental protection. Dr. Walenta’s expertise in interdisciplinary thinking is an invaluable asset to the team and she advises the team on the formation of the Green Innovation Fund at UJ and symposium planning.
Dr. Atkinson (Email | Website) researches effective climate change communication and attitudes and her work focuses on how message components, like visual elements, argument frames, and source factors, influence attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in an environmental and sustainability context. Professor Lucy Atkinson has public relations and advertising expertise in survey/focus group design and multimedia. Dr. Atkinson provides guidance in administering surveys and organizing focus groups and she advises the team on how to best communicate our project goals and outcomes.
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