Theresa Selfa

Theresa Selfa is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Studies at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). She holds a PhD in Development Sociology from Cornell University, an MCP in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley, and a BA in English Literature from Whitman College.

• Research Interests: Sustainable Agriculture, Social Dimensions of Science and Technology, Cultural Ecosystem Services, Environmental Governance, and Environment and Development.
• Current Projects: Includes NSF-funded studies on gene editing governance, USDA grants on agroecological systems, and SUNY ESF’s Restoration Science Center initiatives.
• Professional Roles: Editorial Board member of Agriculture and Human Values, former Associate Editor of Rural Sociology and Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems.

Her research bridges ecological and social systems, emphasizing participatory governance and equity in environmental policy. She advises four graduate students and has published extensively on topics ranging from biofuels to community garden resilience.