Dr. Jayme Walenta

Biography

Jayme Walenta studies how economic institutions shape human-environment interactions with a focus on making economic growth and environmental protection mutually compatible. Her current research examines the compatibility forged between business responses to climate change and ongoing economic practices, specifically investigating the technical devices and calculation methods used to commodify climate change impacts. This includes corporate tools that render climate change effects knowable and manageable for companies. Her research origins stem from her experience as a carbon management consultant, which fostered her longstanding interest in how businesses can integrate environmental ethics into everyday practices. As an educator, Jayme emphasizes participatory and experiential learning moments for her students, getting them involved in hands-on field-oriented research projects that illuminate the shifts in academic knowledge originating from applied contexts. She aims to integrate critical theory into her classroom, demonstrating how human geographical phenomena relate to global issues such as globalization and de-industrialization, while addressing inextricable links to race, class, and gender. Jayme exposes her students to diverse viewpoints and encourages them to consider important questions of equity and justice.

Research Interests

Courses