Jennifer Baka

Jennifer Baka is an Associate Professor and John T. Ryan, Jr. Faculty Fellow in the Department of Geography at the College of Earth & Mineral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on energy geographies, political ecology, and equitable transitions in energy systems. She examines the socio-political and ecological dimensions of energy provision, including hydraulic fracturing, biofuel policies, and solar development impacts.

Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating mixed methods to address energy equity, environmental governance, and industrial ecology. Notable projects include advancing political-industrial ecology as a sub-field, evaluating shale gas governance in the U.S., and analyzing biofuel impacts in India. She has secured grants including the NSF CAREER Award and Sloan Foundation funding.

Baka's research highlights the intersection of energy systems with community well-being, land-use conflicts, and policy frameworks. Key themes include water-energy nexus dynamics, fossil fuel transitions, and spatial justice in renewable energy landscapes. Her work appears in journals like Annals of the AAG, Nature, and Energy Research & Social Science.

Awards include the John T. Ryan Faculty Fellowship and recognition for community-engaged scholarship. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects such as the Beaver County Ethane Plant Impact Analysis and air quality research near industrial sites in Pittsburgh.