Robert Krueger

Robert Krueger is a Professor and Department Head of Social Science & Policy Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He holds affiliations with the Institute of Science & Technology for Development and the Development Design Lab (DDL), focusing on sustainable development in Ghana and West Africa. His research emphasizes socially just improvements to global development projects, particularly in urban sustainability, economy-environment relationships, and institutional change.

Education: BS, Oklahoma State University (1991); MSL, Vermont Law School (1992); MA & PhD, Clark University (1998, 2001). Krueger has spent nearly 20 years at WPI, leading initiatives such as the Worcester Community Project Center and advising projects in Thailand, Namibia, and Ghana. The DDL addresses sustainable livelihood challenges in Ghana’s Eastern Region through environmental, educational, and developmental work.

Research interests include alternative economic systems, environmental justice, and participatory urban planning. His publications critique conventional development paradigms, advocating for reimagined social change. Notable works include Adventures in Sustainable Urbanism (2019) and contributions to the Second State of the Carbon Cycle Report. Krueger’s work is funded by agencies like the US EPA and the Luxembourg National Research Fund.

Professional honors include the Green Game Changer (2014) and the William Meinhofer Award for Faculty Excellence (2008). He collaborates with global institutions, such as De Gruyter, to advance STEM education and sustainable development. Media engagements include insights on income inequality and sustainable travel for The Washington Post and WalletHub.

Grants and projects highlight interdisciplinary collaboration, such as the Integrated Global STEM Initiative and the Development Design Lab’s Ghana-focused programs. Krueger’s work bridges academic research with community-driven solutions, emphasizing global-local linkages in sustainability.