Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Political Science. Her research focuses on how political dynamics shape environmental policy, particularly legislative behavior, wildfire management equity, and disaster preparedness. Anderson’s work bridges political science and environmental studies, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration to address climate challenges.

Education includes a PhD and MS in Political Science and Economics from Stanford University, and a BS in Political Science from MIT. Her research spans legislative gridlock, wildfire resource allocation disparities, and the impact of salient events on policy priorities. She co-authored Rejecting Compromise: Legislators’ Fear of Primary Voters, analyzing primary voter influence on legislative decisions.

Key projects include the California Grizzly Research Network and the Climate Adaptation Solutions Accelerator (CASA), focusing on equitable climate strategies. Her recent studies highlight inequities in wildfire response and the role of transparency in pollution control. Anderson advises PhD students exploring environmental policy, climate adaptation, and bipartisan solutions.

Her teaching includes courses like ESM 243 (Environmental Policy Analysis), and she leads initiatives promoting diversity in academia. Current research explores disaster-driven policy responses and the interplay between constituent demographics and legislative priorities.