Allison M. Chatrchyan

Allison M. Chatrchyan serves as the Director of Stakeholder Engagement for the NSF/NIFA-funded AI-LEAF Institute (AI for Land, Economy, Agriculture & Forestry) and is a Research Associate with the School of Integrative Plant Sciences at Cornell University. She also holds an appointment as an Adjunct Professor of Environmental and International Environmental Law at Cornell Law School. Her work bridges environmental science, policy, and law, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to climate change challenges.

Dr. Chatrchyan's research spans climate change impacts and adaptation, artificial intelligence applications in agriculture and forestry, international environmental law, and multi-level climate governance. She has developed significant programs including the Cornell Climate Smart Farming Program and the Cornell Climate Stewards Program, which trains cooperative extension educators and volunteer stewards across New York State. Her work emphasizes stakeholder engagement and practical applications of climate science.

Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on climate adaptation in agricultural systems, municipal climate action, and the intersection of policy, communication, and climate science. The research shows strong regional focus on New York and the Northeastern United States while also addressing international climate governance through her work with the UNFCCC.

Dr. Chatrchyan leads multiple grant-funded projects including the NSF AI-LEAF Institute, USDA NE Climate Hub initiatives, and NYSERDA-funded climate impacts assessment work. She has served as co-chair of the Agriculture Chapter of the New York State Climate Impacts Assessment published in 2024 and has led Cornell Delegations to UN Climate Change Conferences since COP21 in Paris.

She teaches Environmental Law and Policy and International Environmental Law at Cornell Law School, along with capstone courses for Cornell's Environment & Sustainability program including Global Climate Change Science & Policy and Climate Smart Communities. Her educational approach emphasizes real-world engagement and interdisciplinary perspectives.