– About JE-L

JE-L researches policy and design for the creation of just environments.

We are acquainted with the major academic-led theories in this space (from political ecology to environmental justice), but always test and contrast these theories against the lived experiences of the communities we serve. We are currently working with underrepresented communities across: Puerto Rico, the Río Grande Valley of South Texas, and California. Their community-led theories and community science form the basis for all of our work.

The Just Environments Lab (JE-L) was founded in 2018 first as Comunidad. The lab changed names in the summer of 2020 to expand its focus.

– Our Team

  • Danielle Zoe Rivera

    Director

    Danielle is an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at the University of California Berkeley. Her research examines and addresses environmental injustice and climate inequity in low-income communities of color. She holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan and a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.

    [ Curriculum Vitae ]

  • Eliza Breder

    Graduate Research Assistant - Doctoral

    Eliza Breder is a PhD Student in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at the University of California Berkeley. Eliza’s research examines the spatial relationships between historic injustices and flood risks today. She holds a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability in the Built Environment from the University of Florida. Her experience in research to design has focused on water resources, geospatial analysis, flood and watershed adaptation planning, land use suitability and public participation in design.

  • Adrienne Dodd

    Doctoral Student

    Adrienne Dodd is a PhD candidate in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on just disaster management, with a focus on long-term, preparatory planning to reduce inequities in post-disaster recovery. She holds a Master of Science in Natural Hazard Mitigation and Management from National Cheng Kung University where her research focused on participatory environmental planning for disaster risk reduction, and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Southwestern University.

  • Ailbhe Yasmin Wallis

    Graduate Research Assistant - Masters

    Yasmin is joining us in Spring 2024! Welcome to the team!

– Former Team Members

  • Graduate Research Assistant

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant