Nader Afzalan

Nader Afzalan holds the Raymond Lifchez Chair of Social Justice and serves as Visiting Professor of Practice. With over 20 years of experience across public, non-profit, and private sectors, his work integrates data analytics and stakeholder engagement to address challenges at the intersection of climate resilience, environmental justice, and urban technology.

His research focuses on urban planning innovations including smart city technologies, participatory planning methods, and the application of social media in community engagement. Publications explore digital tools for participatory planning, planners' roles in smart cities, and data ethics in urban governance.

Afzalan has led policy implementations internationally and held leadership positions including developing California's first statewide homelessness data warehouse and chairing the APA Technology Division.