Tanya Heikkila

Tanya Heikkila is Professor and Program Director for the Master of Public Policy at University of Colorado Denver's School of Public Affairs. She researches policy processes in environmental governance, focusing on conflict resolution and institutional design in natural resource management.

She holds a Ph.D. in Management from University of Arizona and MPA from the same institution. Her B.A. in International Studies and Spanish is from University of Oregon.

Research examines collaborative governance regimes, policy learning mechanisms, and conflict management in contexts like interstate watersheds and energy development. Recent work analyzes how institutional rules shape collective learning in environmental governance.

Publications demonstrate consistent focus on shale development politics, water management conflicts, and governance adaptation in polycentric systems.

Awards include the 2023 Lowi Prize and multiple teaching/research recognitions. She serves on California's Delta Independent Science Board.