Mark Neff

Mark Neff is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at Western Washington University's Huxley College of the Environment. He holds a PhD from Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences, an MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon, and a BA in German Language and Literature from Whitman College. His work bridges environmental policy, science policy, and science and technology studies, focusing on how societies utilize science within democratic frameworks. Neff critiques the overreliance on science for policy certainty and advocates for clearer communication of science's limitations and societal roles.

He collaborates across disciplines with ecologists, sociologists, and anthropologists, while maintaining affiliation with the Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes. His current book project aims to equip STEM students with critical understanding of science’s societal roles. Research explores science’s role in environmental and medical controversies, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to address polarization and misinformation.

Neff’s publications critique academic publishing practices, advocating for open-access reforms. He regularly engages students through research opportunities and courses addressing science’s societal interface. His work highlights the necessity of acknowledging science’s constraints in pluralistic democracies to rebuild public trust.