Fengxiu Zhang

Fengxiu Zhang is an Assistant Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University. She is a core faculty affiliate at the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC) and serves on the advisory committee for the Virginia Climate Center (VCC), highlighting her strong engagement in climate and resilience research.

• PhD in Public Administration and Policy, Arizona State University, 2020

Her research focuses on climate adaptation, disaster resilience, and the societal dimensions of electric vehicle (EV) transition. She integrates institutional, organizational, psychological, and network perspectives to understand how public organizations enhance resilience. A significant portion of her work explores technology in government, particularly open government data and its equity implications. She also investigates energy justice in EV infrastructure and equitable solutions for public fleet electrification.

Her recent publications span top journals in public administration and environmental policy, reflecting interdisciplinary trends centered on sustainability, equity, governance, and technological innovation. Themes include climate governance, risk perception, sociotechnical systems, and data-driven policy.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• 2022 Best Reviewer, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory
• 2019 Staats Emerging Scholar, NASPAA
• 2019 Digital Governance Junior Scholar, ASPA (SSTIG)
• 2019 Best Student Paper, ASPA (STPA)
• 2019 Dissertation Completion Fellowship, Arizona State University
• 2019 Honorable Mention
• William E. Mosher and Frederick C. Mosher Award, Public Administration Review

Zhang has secured over $2 million in research funding from the National Science Foundation, the Natural Hazards Center, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority. Her advisory roles and affiliations suggest active mentorship and leadership in interdisciplinary research. She collaborates with diverse teams across policy, technology, and sustainability domains.

She is actively involved in research through the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC) and contributes to the Virginia Climate Center, where she helps shape state-level climate resilience strategies. These centers serve as hubs for interdisciplinary collaboration on urban sustainability and disaster resilience.