Pamela McElwee

Pamela McElwee is a Professor in the Department of Human Ecology at Rutgers University. She holds affiliations with multiple departments including Geography, Anthropology, Women’s and Gender Studies, and the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Her research focuses on human adaptation to global environmental change, with expertise in biodiversity conservation and climate change in Asia. She co-chairs the IPBES Nexus Assessment (2021-2024) and leads a chapter in the Fifth US National Climate Assessment.

McElwee earned her Ph.D. in Forestry & Environmental Studies and Anthropology from Yale University (2003). Her career includes policy roles at the White House, US Senate, and US EPA. Her work examines how individuals and households respond to environmental changes, influenced by policies and markets.

Her publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to environmental governance, integrating biodiversity, climate, and societal challenges. Recent work addresses transformative governance frameworks, equity in climate policies, and Indigenous knowledge systems. She advocates for socially sustainable ecosystem management and equitable conservation practices.

McElwee’s research spans Vietnam and broader Southeast Asia, analyzing topics like payments for ecosystem services, agrarian livelihoods, and historical environmental policies. She has contributed to major international assessments linking biodiversity and climate action, emphasizing policy coherence and justice.