Dr. Amy Lerner

Biography

Amy M. Lerner is an environmental social scientist with three interdisciplinary degrees and training in social and natural sciences, employing qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Her focused research and professional training primarily concern Latin America, with 20 years dedicated to ecotourism in countries like Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru, and further research in Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico. Originally from Long Beach, California, Professor Lerner has explored the intricate relationships between nature and human environments, particularly in relation to agriculture and expanding urban contexts. Her work emphasizes sustainable agricultural methods and the role of green infrastructure in urban settings. She pursued her undergraduate degree in Human Biology at Stanford University, followed by a master’s degree in Environmental Studies at Brown University, and a PhD in Geography from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She furthered her academic journey with post-doctoral research positions in Geography and Human Ecology at Rutgers University, alongside the Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy Program. Professor Lerner has also held non-academic roles in farm management and environmental education in California. She has served as an Assistant Research Professor at the National Laboratory for Sustainability Science in Mexico City, focusing on projects involving graduate students and colleagues, addressing issues like natural resource management and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Research Interests