Courtney Cooper

Courtney Cooper is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies at Berry College. She holds a Ph.D. in Water Resources from the University of Idaho (2020) and an M.A. in Geography and Planning from Appalachian State University (2015). Prior to Berry, she conducted postdoctoral research at Penn State University, focusing on community resilience and sustainability. Her academic work emphasizes participatory research methods to engage communities in addressing climate change adaptation and environmental policy challenges.

Dr. Cooper’s research interests span participatory research methods, water resources policy, land use policy, and stakeholder engagement. She has contributed to projects such as the Penn State Initiative for Resilient Communities, NOAA’s Climate Adaptation Program, and interdisciplinary climate research in the Tropical Andes. Her teaching focuses on environmental policy, global climate change, and environmental studies.

Her publications explore actionable flood-risk communication, lead contamination risks, and climate adaptation strategies. Notable works include studies on flood-risk information design, community resilience frameworks, and participatory approaches in mining-impacted regions. While no specific awards are listed, her work reflects contributions to equity-centered climate research and community engagement.