Debra Salazar

Debra Salazar is a Professor in the Political Science department at Western Washington University and an affiliate faculty member with the Huxley College of Environmental Studies. She earned a BS in Forest Management from UC Berkeley, followed by MS and PhD degrees in Forest Resource Policy from the University of Washington. Her research focuses on environmental politics, social justice, and social movements, with notable contributions to understanding transboundary governance, environmental activism, and the intersection of work and space in Silicon Valley. She has been recognized with a 2005 residency at Mesa Writers’ Refuge, Point Reyes, California.

Salazar teaches courses on American Government, Environmental Injustice, Immigration Politics, and Queer Politics. Her work bridges social science and creative writing, exploring themes like modernity, death, and family. She is actively involved in academic committees, including the PSA Conference and Sandison Lecture Committee. Key research areas include authoritarian regime analysis, environmental justice frameworks, and transnational environmental governance strategies.

• Education: BS (UC Berkeley), MS/PhD (University of Washington)
• Awards: Residency at Mesa Writers’ Refuge (2005)
• Recent Courses: PLSC 431 (Senior Seminar - American Politics), PLSC 449 (Politics and Social Change)

Salazar’s publications span peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, addressing topics like social movement networks in Iran, distributive politics in the U.S., and ecological governance across borders. Her creative writing complements her academic work, offering reflective insights on societal and environmental themes.