Tara Grillos

Tara Grillos is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Purdue University. She completed her Ph.D. in Public Policy at Harvard University, a master’s in International Studies, and a bachelor’s in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Purdue in 2017, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Colorado, Boulder's Institute of Behavioral Science.

Her research focuses on the human dimensions of sustainable development policy, examining how local governance arrangements affect environmental behavior and collective action, as well as policy impacts on human well-being, health, and equity. She employs experimental and quasi-experimental methods combined with fieldwork in developing countries such as Honduras, Bolivia, and Kenya through partnerships with local NGOs and government agencies.

Recent publications highlight her work on Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), decentralization, participatory governance, and equity in environmental and health policy. Her research explores topics like bureaucratic accountability, institutional cooperation, and gender inclusion in sustainability initiatives. She teaches POL 223: Introduction to Environmental Policy and is affiliated with Purdue's Policy Center for the Environment, Building Sustainable Communities, and Ecological Sciences and Engineering initiatives.