Jessica Garrison

Jessica Garrison is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Planning & Public Policy at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), affiliated with the School of Social Ecology. Her work bridges climate adaptation, environmental justice, and spatial analysis using geographic information systems (GIS).

• Education: PhD in Urban and Regional Planning (MIT), Master of Urban and Regional Planning (UCI), MA in United States History (UCLA), BA in History (UCI)

Her research examines how historical inequality and social change intersect with climate change to shape environmental justice outcomes. Recent projects analyze urban forestry in LA and New York, wildfire vulnerability in Southern California, and climate adaptation planning across U.S. municipalities.

Dr. Garrison’s publications span journals like Nature Climate Change, Journal of the American Planning Association, and Environment and Planning B, as well as a Routledge reader on climate change planning. Her work emphasizes community-engaged learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Awards: Curriculum Innovation Award (2021), Teaching Case Study Award (2022), Dean’s Honoree (2023), Excellence in Pedagogical Development Honorable Mention (2023)

Prior to her academic role, she worked as an environmental planner and GIS analyst. At UCI, she served as Program Director of the UCI Sustainability Initiative and Director of the Campus as a Living Lab program, integrating campus operations with student-faculty research.