Thaddeus Miller

Thaddeus Miller is an Associate Professor at the School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he also serves as the Graduate Program Director. His work centers on urban sustainability, resilience, and interdisciplinary research, with strong engagement in research-community partnerships across the U.S. and Latin America.

His educational background includes a PhD from Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability, an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and a BA in Economics and Environmental Studies from Bucknell University.

Miller’s research focuses on advancing urban resilience to climate change through collaborative science, policy innovation, and equity-centered governance. He leads a $12 million NSF-funded Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network involving nine cities, and partners with local governments in Portland, Oregon, and the Phoenix area. His work integrates sustainability science, smart cities, and public policy, emphasizing community-driven solutions and emerging technologies.

His recent publications span journals such as Urban Studies, Sustainability Science, and Issues in Science and Technology, as well as public outlets like Slate and The Conversation. The articles reflect a strong trend in interdisciplinary urban resilience research, climate adaptation, science-policy interfaces, and the role of technology in equitable urban futures.

• Author of Reconstructing Sustainability Science: Knowledge and Action for a Sustainable Future (Routledge, 2015)
• Published in leading journals including Urban Studies, Science as Culture, and Sustainability Science
• Regular contributor to general-audience platforms such as Slate and The Conversation
• Research funded by federal, regional, and industry partners

Miller has advised numerous students and led major research initiatives, including co-directing the Center for Smart Cities and Regions at Arizona State University. His grants include significant NSF support for urban resilience networks. He has held faculty positions at Arizona State University and Portland State University before joining UMass Amherst.

He is actively involved in research teams and networks focused on urban resilience, smart cities, and sustainability science, including multi-institutional collaborations across the U.S. and Latin America.