Aaron Deslatte

Aaron Deslatte is an Associate Professor at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington, where he joined as an assistant professor in 2019 and was promoted to Associate Professor in July 2023. He directs the Metropolitan Governance and Management Transitions (MGMT) Laboratory and serves as Faculty Steering Committee member for the IU Environmental Resilience Institute. Deslatte is also a faculty affiliate with the Vincent and Elinor Ostrom Workshop and previously taught at Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Deslatte's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Public Administration, Florida State University, 2015
• MPA, Florida State University, 2013
• M.S. in Political Science, Florida State University, 2009
• B.G.S. in General Studies, Missouri Southern State University, 2007

Deslatte's research focuses on the roles that public managers play in enhancing economic, environmental and social sustainability at the local and metropolitan level. His work examines how organizational capabilities, governance structures, and institutional arrangements affect sustainability outcomes in local governments. He has particular expertise in metropolitan governance, climate adaptation, urban water management, and the implementation of sustainable policies in fragmented political landscapes. His research employs institutional analysis, collective action frameworks, and both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how local governments can advance sustainable economic and community development.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on climate change adaptation, particularly examining how local governments are responding to climate challenges through institutional innovations and collaborative governance approaches. There's a clear progression in his work from studying general sustainability practices to more specific climate adaptation strategies, with increasing attention to equity considerations in sustainability planning. His research spans multiple domains including water management, housing policy, transportation, and comprehensive planning, demonstrating an interdisciplinary approach to urban sustainability challenges.

Dr. Deslatte has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his contributions to the field:

• National Science Foundation CAREER grant to study Integrated Local Sustainability Strategies ($485,385, 2020-25)
• National Science Foundation CNH2-L grant recipient to study Transition Dynamics in Integrated Urban Water Systems ($1,499,157, 2019-24)
• Clarence Stone Young Scholar Award, American Political Science Association (2018)
• Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award (2021)
• Theodore Lowi Award for best article published in Policy Studies Journal (2022)
• Climate Catalyst Director's Award from Indiana University Office of Sustainability (2023)

As a researcher and educator, Deslatte has secured significant grant funding for his work on local sustainability, climate adaptation, and urban water management. His NSF-funded projects represent major contributions to understanding how local governments can effectively implement sustainability strategies. He teaches courses on sustainable communities, climate change planning, urban development, and environmental policy, bridging theory and practice for students pursuing careers in public service. His background as a journalist covering politics and government provides a unique perspective on the practical challenges of public administration.

Deslatte co-directs the Metropolitan Governance and Management Transitions Laboratory, which focuses on collective-action challenges surrounding community resilience, technological innovation, and sustainability. The lab brings together interdisciplinary researchers to address complex urban governance challenges through innovative methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks. His book "Organizing and Institutionalizing Local Sustainability: A Design Approach" (Cambridge University Press, 2022) represents a significant contribution to the field, offering practical insights for public managers seeking to implement sustainability initiatives.