Dr. Andrea Pia

Biography

Andrea Pia is an Associate Professor at the London School of Economics with over twenty years of experience in researching the dynamic interplay between society and the natural environment. His work addresses critical questions about the environmental impacts of human projects and the circumstances that lead to successful counter-projects. Andrea has conducted ethnographic fieldwork in Ming dynasty villages on the outskirts of Beijing, investigating how man-made water shortages spur environmentally-induced migration among rural residents. His research contributes to understanding how migratory decisions are influenced by changing perceptions of place, family, and work in the context of environmental hazards. Andrea's notable projects include his book, 'Cutting the Mass Line: Water, Politics, Climate in Southwest China,' which explores collective action approaches to China's water crises. His ongoing research focuses on climate activist youth across Europe and Asia, examining their disruptive collective actions and how they navigate global climate forums. Andrea is also deeply committed to public anthropology and open-access scholarship, co-editing several online journals and advancing knowledge around contemporary China through his leadership in various non-profit initiatives.

Research Interests

Courses