Dr. Charisma Acey

Associate Professor

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Biography

Charisma Acey is an associate professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley, focusing on sustainable urbanism and social justice in built environments. Her research and work experience span over two decades, involving local and regional environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, and participatory governance in vulnerable and marginalized communities. Acey's research projects tackle critical issues such as food justice, environmental justice, and the interaction between human and environmental systems in various contexts including West Africa and Central America. Her methodologies incorporate both qualitative and quantitative approaches, emphasizing community engagement. Before joining UC Berkeley, she taught and conducted research at the Ohio State University's Knowlton School of Architecture, where she worked on mapping food justice issues. Acey has also served as a manager in international development NGOs and received multiple awards recognizing her contributions to community-based scholarship and health equity efforts. She holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has been involved in several scholarly initiatives both nationally and internationally.

Research Interests

Courses

Graduate Studio - Infrastructure Imaginaries: Informal Urbanism, Creativity Ecology Lagos, Nigeria Environmental Planning Regulation Sustainable Communities Special Topics: Human Right Water Planning Sustainability Graduate Studio - Critical Race Consciousness, Place-Based Storytelling & Research Justice Community Partnerships

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.