Kathleen Halvorsen

Contact

kehalvor@mtu.edu
906-487-3098
Lakeshore Center 304

Associate Vice President for Research Development
University Professor of Natural Resource Policy
Joint Appointment in Social Sciences and CFRES

PhD, Forest Resource Management, University of Washington
MS, Environmental Science, State University of New York
BS, Political Economy of Natural Resources, University of California at Berkeley

Please note, I no longer advise or work with Graduate Students. As the Associate Vice President for Research Development (AVPRD) I get to assist and support researchers across campus meet their research goals in a safe, successful manner. I work closely with all of our centers, institutes, and shared facilities. My research continues and focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

I have two main research foci: indigeneity and environmental stewardship and socio-technological system transitions toward climate change mitigation and adaptation. I lead a new National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence project entitled “GCR: Collaborative Research: Socio-Technological System Transitions: Michigan Community & Anishinaabe Renewable Energy Systems (MICARES)” that focuses on Michigan Tribal Nation and rural community renewable energy adoption. This transdisciplinary project includes universities, non-governmental organizations, Tribal Nations, and policy makers across Michigan. I am also part of NSF Navigating the New Arctic funded research teams focusing on the socioecological impacts of coastal permafrost thawing in coastal Alaska. These projects are “Convergence NNA: Coordinate a Transdisciplinary Research Network to Identify Challenges of and Solutions to Permafrost Coastal Erosion and Its Socioecological Impacts in the Arctic (NNA PCE)” and “NNA Track 1: Pursuing Opportunities for Long-term Arctic Resilience for Infrastructure and Society (POLARIS).”

On a more personal level, I love to spend time searching for cool rocks and mushrooms, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, knitting, and spending time with my dogs.

Areas of Expertise

Climate change mitigation policy
Arctic climate change impacts
Energy conservation policy
Renewable energy policy
Indigeneity and climate policy

Recent Publications

Halvorsen, K.E., C. Schelly, R. Handler, E.C. Pischke, and J.L. Knowlton (eds). 2019. A Research Agenda for Environmental Management. Edward Elgar Publishing: Cheltenham, UK.
Halvorsen, K.E., Jessie L. Knowlton, Robert M. Handler, Chelsea Schelly and Erin C. Pischke. ‘Integrating across sectors and disciplines: transdisciplinary teamwork challenges and strategies.’ 2019. In K.E. Halvorsen, C. Schelly, R. Handler, E.C. Pischke, and J.L. Knowlton (eds). A Research Agenda for Environmental Management. Edward Elgar Publishing: Cheltenham, UK.
Dunn, J.L, Jessie L. Knowlton, Robert M. Handler, Erin C. Pischke, K. E. Halvorsen, M. Azahara Mesa-Jurado, Theresa L. Selfa, David J. Flaspohler, Julian Licata, Ena E. Mata-Zayas, Rodrigo Medeiros, Cassandra Moseley, Erik A. Nielsen, Valentin D Picasso Risso, Julio C. Sacramento-Rivero, Tatiana de Souza, Cesar J. Vazquez Navarrete and Nathan Basiliko. 2019. ‘Lessons from the transdisciplinary, international BIOPIRE project.’ In K.E. Halvorsen, C. Schelly, R. Handler, E.C. Pischke, and J.L. Knowlton (eds). A Research Agenda for Environmental Management. Edward Elgar Publishing: Cheltenham, UK.
Pischke, E.C., M. A. Mesa-Jurado, A. Eastmond, J. Abrams, K. E. Halvorsen. Community Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies in Tabasco, Mexico. 2018. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences 8(4)441-451. DOI: 10.1007/s13412-018-0493-6.
Kozich, A.T., K.E. Halvorsen, and A.S. Mayer. 2018. Perspectives on Water Resources among Anishinaabe and Non-Native Residents of the Great Lakes Region. Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education 163(April)94-108.

Recent Funding

NSF Convergence: Foundations for a Convergent Discipline in Socio-Technological System Transitions through Research on Michigan Community and Anishinaabe Renewable Energy Sovereignty [MICARES] (Lead Principal Investigator), Funded by NSF Convergence Program, 2019-2024. $3,689,943 Total (Joint with Michigan State University, MTU is lead university)
NSF Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) Track 1: Collaborative Research: Pursuing Opportunities for Long-term Artic Resilience for Infrastructure and Society (POLARIS) (Senior Personnel) 2019-2023. $3,000,000 Total
Convergence Navigating the New Arctic (NNA): Coordinate a Transdisciplinary Research Network to Identify Challenges of and Solutions to Permafrost Coastal Erosion and Its Socioecological Impacts in the Arctic (Co-PI) 2018-2022 $500,000 Total
OISE-PIRE: Sustainability, Ecosystem Services, and Bioenergy Development across the Americas (Lead Principal Investigator), Funded by NSF PIRE Program, 2012-2017, $4,841,735.
NSF INFEWS: INFEWS/T3: Reducing Household Food, Energy and Water Consumption: A Quantitative Analysis of Interventions and Impacts of Conservation. Senior Personnel. $3,000,000. 2016-2021.