Kelly Turner

Kelly Turner is an Assistant Professor in Urban Planning at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a joint appointment in Geography. She co-directs the Luskin Center for Innovation’s Urban Environment Research program, focusing on interdisciplinary solutions to urban sustainability challenges.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Geography, Arizona State University, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning (IGERT Fellow in Urban Ecology)

Research Interests:

• Urban ecology and social-ecological systems
• Green infrastructure and sustainable urban design
• Heat resilience and climate adaptation in cities
• Policy and institutional capacity for environmental sustainability
• Water and biodiversity management through community governance

Recent Publications:

• Explored heat exposure dynamics in urban environments using geospatial data
• Investigated green infrastructure impacts on watershed hydrology
• Examined social norms and policy barriers in stormwater management
• Contributions to urban sustainability frameworks and climate adaptation strategies

Scientific Awards:

• Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award

Grants & Collaborations:

• National Science Foundation (NSF-CBET) funding for stormwater management studies
• National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) support

Labs & Teams:

• Co-Director, Luskin Center for Innovation at UCLA
• Collaborator on interdisciplinary projects like Heat Resilient L.A.