Jennifer Cardinal

Jennifer Cardinal is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where she also directs the Vasudha Living and Learning Community. Her work bridges cultural anthropology, political ecology, and sustainability studies, with a focus on community-led initiatives and climate justice. She is actively involved in teaching and research that integrates local practices within global environmental challenges.

Research Interests: Jennifer's research centers on the interplay between community, sustainability, and environmental ideologies. She investigates how grassroots movements navigate climate insecurity, particularly around water and food systems in Troy, NY. Her ethnographic work in southern Jalisco, Mexico explores tensions between luxury resort development and community-led sustainability, highlighting frictions in sustainable development driven by lifestyle migration. She also conducts collaborative research in the United States, United Kingdom, and Iceland, emphasizing inclusive, community-engaged methodologies.

Recent Research Trends: Her recent publications focus on lifestyle migration, privatization of coastal land, and divergent sustainability models in Mexico. These works reflect a broader interest in how global consumption patterns influence local environmental change and community resilience. Her comparative framework integrates case studies from the U.S., UK, and Mexico to understand inclusive sustainability across contexts.

Scientific Awards:

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Advising and Grants: Jennifer leads multidisciplinary student-faculty research teams, emphasizing student leadership and community impact. At Earlham College, she directed a project funded by the Earlham Center for Social Justice, which assessed local sustainability assets and led to a proposal for a Library of Things in Richmond, Indiana. Her approach prioritizes inclusive, accessible, and community-driven outcomes.

Labs and Teams: Jennifer designs collaborative research projects that integrate teaching and community engagement. Her teams include students and faculty working on human-environment relationships, with recent projects in the U.S., UK, and Iceland. These teams focus on participatory research methods and actionable outcomes for local communities.