Dr. Alex Karner

Biography

Alex Karner is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Community and Regional Planning at the University of Texas at Austin. His research critically engages transportation planning practices to progress transportation equity and mobility justice. He collaborates with community members, non-profit organizations, and public interest law firms to identify pressing research needs that can improve conditions for communities experiencing transportation challenges. His work aims to reveal areas where current planning and modeling practices fall short, demonstrating the efficacy of alternative approaches. Karner conducts research in various domains including quantifying access to destinations crucial for leading meaningful lives, as well as environmental justice, focusing on how transportation projects impact low-income, Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities. His education includes a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a BASc in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto. Karner's prior positions include an Assistant Professorship at Georgia Tech and postdoctoral roles at Universidad Católica de Chile and Arizona State University. His work has been funded by several federal agencies and foundations, underscoring its relevance to contemporary urban challenges.

Research Interests