John Petersen

John Petersen is a Professor in the Environmental Studies and Sciences department at Oberlin College, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a BA from Oberlin College (1988), MS from Yale University (1992), and PhD from University of Maryland Baltimore County (1998). His research focuses on systems ecology, environmental feedback systems, and community sustainability. He co-founded Lucid Design Group, which develops environmental dashboard technology to promote resource conservation.

His work includes the Environmental Dashboard project, a real-time feedback system used in communities like Oberlin and MidTown Cleveland to track energy, water, and social metrics. Recent awards include the 2024 Civic Collaborator Award and Ohio EPA's Outstanding Project Award for dashboard-based sustainability initiatives. Petersen teaches courses like Systems Modeling and Ecosystem Ecology, and has mentored numerous students in applied sustainability research.

• Education: BA Oberlin College (1988), MS Yale (1992), PhD UMB (1998)
• Awards: 2024 Civic Collaborator Award, Ohio EPA Outstanding Project Award (2024), Green Achievement Award (2022)
• Key Projects: Environmental Dashboard, CommunityHub, Lucid Design Group
• Grants/Partnerships: Collaborations with k-12 educators, businesses, and non-profits

Research emphasizes integrating real-time data visualization with behavioral science to drive pro-environmental action. Recent articles highlight biochar's agricultural applications, climate communication strategies, and systems thinking pedagogy. Petersen's work bridges ecological science with community-driven solutions for urban sustainability and resilience.