Melissa K. Scanlan

Melissa K. Scanlan is a Professor and the Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair in Water Policy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences. She directs the Center for Water Policy, founded in 2011, and previously held roles as Visiting Professor at Boston College Law School and Vermont Law School, where she led the Environmental Law Program. Her work bridges environmental law, policy, and sustainable economic design.

Education: J.D. & M.S. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from UC Berkeley (special distinction in water law); B.A. in World Politics (Phi Beta Kappa) from Catholic University of America.

Research Focus: Scanlan specializes in water policy, public trust doctrine, and legal frameworks for sustainable cooperatives. Her landmark book Prosperity in the Fossil-Free Economy compares U.S. and Spanish cooperatives. She also explores climate risk, infrastructure equity, and governance models for offshore wind energy.

Awards & Recognition:

• Fulbright Senior Scholar (2019)
• Wisconsin Super Lawyers’ Rising Star (2006–2008)
• Equal Justice Works & Echoing Green Fellowships

Enterprise & Advocacy: Co-founded Midwest Environmental Advocates (Wisconsin’s first nonprofit environmental law center) and Washington Heights Community Garden. Raised millions to capitalize social economy enterprises, emphasizing governance design and mission-driven stewardship.

Labs/Initiatives: Leads the Center for Water Policy, focusing on equitable infrastructure implementation and disadvantaged community water justice. Active in Great Lakes restoration and offshore wind legal planning.