Michelle Martinez

Michelle Martinez is a Lecturer and Inaugural Director of the Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). With 15 years of environmental justice practice in Detroit, she bridges community activism with academic leadership.

• MS Environmental Policy and Planning, University of Michigan (2008)
• BA English Literature and Language with Anthropology Minor, University of Michigan (2003)

Her research focuses on Environmental Justice, Climate Policy, and Urban Sustainability, particularly addressing systemic racism in environmental policy and community-led climate resilience. She pioneered the integration of spiritual ecology into climate justice frameworks.

Publications highlight Detroit-specific environmental racism, policy critiques, and decolonial approaches to urban planning. Articles span 2015-2021, emphasizing historical pollution contexts and grassroots organizing.

• Awards: American Association of Geographers Powershift Award
• Leadership: Founded Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
• Media: Regular contributor to Planet Detroit

She co-founded the Swimming In The Detroit River Story Collective and Mira Radical Art Collective, merging art and environmental activism. Current affiliations include board roles at We The People-MI and Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition.