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Michael Charles is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University. He is a Diné (Navajo) scholar dedicated to forming mutually respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities. His research focuses on developing computational sustainability frameworks, utilizing dynamic ecological models to advocate for underrepresented communities, particularly in the context of climate change and Indigenous rights. Charles works closely with the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change, addressing complex sustainability challenges and promoting ecosystem services that enhance human well-being. His current projects include exploring the impacts of climate change on small-scale economies, engaging in participatory system dynamics modeling, and evaluating sustainability from a computing perspective. With a strong commitment to increasing Indigenous representation in academia and social movements, his vision is to combine computational methods with community-centered approaches to translate research into actionable solutions.
Newark Earthworks Center, Ohio State University • Newark, OH
Conducted research on the relationship between Land Grant Universities and Indigenous Dispossession in North America.
Department of Architecture