Katherine Zipp

Katherine Zipp is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education at The Pennsylvania State University. She serves as Faculty Review Committee Lead for the Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE) and holds research interests in environmental and resource economics, land-use economics, spatial modeling, and nonmarket valuation. Her work bridges ecological and economic systems, focusing on topics such as prescribed fire management, flood insurance impacts, and bioenergy crop production. Zipp has led projects funded by the USDA, including a 2023 grant studying vegetation's role in reducing water pollution. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on issues like Mid-Atlantic fire management strategies and visitor perceptions in national parks. Her research often employs advanced spatial modeling techniques to address policy challenges in natural resource management.

Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding prescribed fire barriers, recreational ecosystem services, and flood zone remapping effects on housing markets. Zipp’s work is frequently cited in policy contexts, such as the design of effective flood insurance systems and sustainable land-use policies. She is affiliated with IEE’s Integrated Energy Systems and Water Sustainability research themes, reflecting her focus on energy-environmental intersections and water resource management.

Labs and teams include the Land and Water Research Building at Penn State, where her research addresses critical environmental challenges. Zipp’s academic contributions span over 75 peer-reviewed articles and frequent media engagements discussing flood impacts, fire management, and bioenergy strategies. Her research emphasizes practical policy applications, ensuring academic work informs real-world decision-making.