Emily Benton Hite

Emily Benton Hite is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Saint Louis University, where she conducts research at the intersection of cultural anthropology, environmental governance, and climate policy. Her work focuses on human-water relationships and hydrosocial territories, with field research in Costa Rica, the United States, and the South Pacific.

Research Interests:

• Human-water relationships and hydrosocial territories
• Indigenous rights and hydropower development
• Climate governance and UNFCCC/COP processes
• Global ocean governance through interdisciplinary collaboration
• Political ecology of sustainable development

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in examining the socio-political dimensions of environmental change, particularly how climate mitigation efforts like hydropower and low-carbon transitions impact marginalized communities. These works span political geography, water policy, and conservation anthropology, emphasizing justice, governance, and sustainability.

Scientific Awards:

• Graduate Part-time Instructor Appreciation award (nominated, spring 2021)

Teaching and Grants: Emily’s doctoral research was supported by the National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant and the International Dissertation Research Fellowship from the Social Science Research Council. She has been recognized for excellence in teaching, particularly during her graduate instruction at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Professional Engagement: Emily actively participates in international climate and hydropower policy discussions and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across the U.S. and South Pacific. She shares her research and insights through professional platforms such as X and LinkedIn.