Marisa K. Manheim

Marisa K. Manheim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environment and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo. She holds a PhD in Sustainability (expected 2023) from Arizona State University, alongside degrees from Carnegie Mellon University. Her work focuses on leveraging embodied experiences to drive innovative sustainability solutions, bridging design, public participation, and governance frameworks.

• PhD Candidate: Arizona State University (2023)
• MS: Human-Computer Interaction, Carnegie Mellon University (2003)
• BS: Psychology & Communication Design, Carnegie Mellon University (2002)

Her research explores sustainability transitions, governance mechanisms, and experiential futuring. Recent projects include studies on recycled wastewater decision-making in Arizona, supported by NSF grants and fellowships. She co-leads initiatives on urban flood adaptation justice and stakeholder engagement in working landscapes.

Publications highlight themes of embodied cognition in water governance, sensory experiments for environmental memory, and collaborative research frameworks. Awards include the NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant and Babbitt Center Fellowship.

Previously, she served as policy director for an urban agriculture nonprofit in Pittsburgh. Current interests include labs focused on embodied decision-making tools and anticipatory governance methods for sustainability challenges.