Kayleigh Ward

Kayleigh Ward is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Northeastern University's College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), with dual affiliations at the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute (SSEHRI) and the Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences (CIRES). She holds a Dual PhD in Sociology and Environmental Science & Policy from Michigan State University (2022). Her research focuses on post-disaster community dynamics, urban-rural sustainability, and water equity. She currently leads projects investigating water management policies, youth well-being in Boston's marginalized neighborhoods, and inclusive environmental science practices.

• Roles: Faculty Developer & Lecturer (Northeastern Public Health), Research Faculty (CIRES), Rural Policy Chair (Rural Sociological Society)
• Expertise: Community-engaged methodologies, environmental justice, socio-ecological systems, and public health interventions

Her work bridges academic research with community action through participatory approaches, addressing issues like water affordability, climate adaptation, and equitable urban development. She collaborates with teen activists and organizations serving Black and Hispanic communities in Greater Boston, emphasizing local knowledge in policymaking.

Key certifications include MSU's onGEO Professional GIS and Community Engagement qualifications. She actively contributes to environmental science ethics and team science innovation through her CIRES lab projects.