Jay T Johnson

Jay T Johnson is a University Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas, based in the Department of Geography. His work bridges Indigenous knowledge systems with environmental and sustainability sciences, emphasizing decolonial methodologies and community-driven research. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and degrees in Social Welfare and Liberal Arts from KU.

Johnson’s research focuses on Indigenous research sovereignties, environmental justice, and the ethical integration of Indigenous and Western scientific frameworks. He has pioneered collaborative projects like the Haskell-NCAR Environmental Assessment Training and the MOONS Workshop, fostering Indigenous participation in STEM fields. His work often examines settler colonialism’s impacts on land-use, resource management, and cultural preservation.

Key themes in his scholarship include reciprocity in human-environment relations, spatial justice, and the spectral agency of historical sites. He advocates for methodologies that center Indigenous epistemologies and has contributed to policy frameworks for energy sovereignty and freshwater management in Canada and Alaska.

• Awards: University Distinguished Professor (KU)
• Grants/Partnerships: Multi-institutional collaborations with NCAR, Haskell Indian Nations University, and Canadian Indigenous communities
• Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary teams in sustainability science and Indigenous geographies research