Loretta Pyles

Dr. Loretta Pyles is Professor at the University at Albany School of Social Welfare, holding PhD and MA degrees from the University of Kansas and a BA from Baker University. A certified yoga instructor, her critical social justice scholarship examines resistance to poverty, gender violence, racism, and disasters within contexts of climate crisis and neoliberalism. Her NSF-funded research employs transformative frameworks integrating holistic mind-body-spirit approaches.

Research Focus: Transformative community organizing; Integrative wellness practices; Disaster resilience; Anti-oppressive methodologies; Climate justice frameworks.

Publications: Authored Progressive Community Organizing (Routledge) and Healing Justice: Holistic Self-Care for Change Makers (Oxford). Recent work explores rewilding practices amid climate change.

Awards: National Science Foundation grant recipient for disaster research.