Dr. Clarita Lefthand Begay

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Clarita Lefthand Begay. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Clarita Lefthand-Begay is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington’s Information School. A member of the Navajo Nation, her work engages Indigenous Knowledge Systems through community-based research and mentorship, focusing on environmental health and critical Indigenous studies. She investigates topics such as Tribal water security and Indigenous data justice and emphasizes ethical research practices that prioritize Tribal community needs. Her research extends across various partnerships with Tribal nations in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Lefthand-Begay has contributed to the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s Fifth National Climate Assessment and has secured funding for her work from prestigious organizations like the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In particular, she is the co-leader of the Pacific Northwest Hub’s Center Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS), which fosters collaboration between Indigenous scholars and Western scientists. Lefthand-Begay holds a PhD in Environmental Occupational Health Sciences from the University of Washington, alongside a Master's degree in Environmental Health and a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences.

Research Interests

Courses

INFO 300 - Research Methods LIS 555 - Data Sovereignty Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Sovereign Rights, Protections, Protocols

Requirements for University of Washington

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:80
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:105
Overall
Required:105
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume/CV
  • English proficiency scores (for international students)
Specialization Notes

Standard Graduate School requirements for University of Washington apply to most departments listed unless specified otherwise by the program.