Courtney G. Woods

Courtney G. Woods, PhD, is an Associate Professor and MPH Program Director in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. She specializes in participatory action research addressing environmental justice, particularly in communities affected by environmental racism. Woods co-leads environmental justice courses and directs the Environmental Justice Action Research Clinic, which provides technical assistance to communities facing environmental health threats. Her research focuses on mixed-methods assessments of exposure risks from landfills, petrochemical refineries, industrial agriculture, and natural disasters.

Education: PhD in Environmental Sciences and Engineering (UNC-Chapel Hill, 2007), MS in Chemical Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2003), BA in Chemical Engineering (University of Tennessee, 2001).

Research interests include environmental justice, community-driven methodologies, and health equity. Her work emphasizes collaboration with grassroots organizations like the NC Environmental Justice Network and Earthseed Land Collective (a BIPOC-led land cooperative). Recent projects include investigating PFAS contamination in Sampson County and supporting community-led responses to industrial pollution.

Key awards include the Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholar Award and the Steve Wing Environmental Justice Award. Woods serves on the EPA Board of Scientific Counselors’ Social and Community Science Subcommittee, advising on community science engagement. She also mentors students through the Environmental Justice Clinic and teaches courses on global health inequities and participatory research.

Grants and partnerships include funding from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation for the EJ Clinic and collaborations with organizations like the NC Environmental Justice Network. Her work bridges academic research with actionable solutions for marginalized communities, fostering policy change and empowering local advocacy efforts.