Global Sustainability: Beyond SDGs to Transformative Action

Arun Agrawal is the Samuel Trask Dana Professor at the University of Michigan, where his research and teaching focus on the politics of international development, institutional change, and environmental conservation. He received his training as a political scientist at Duke University and has furthered his education in history and management in India. Dr. Agrawal has held prestigious teaching and research positions at renowned institutions, including Yale, the University of Florida, McGill University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard, contributing to a diverse and impactful academic career.

Dr. Bilal Butt is an Associate Professor at the School for Environment and Sustainability and a faculty affiliate of the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the political ecology of pastoralism and protected areas in East Africa, emphasizing empirical fieldwork to explore the interactions between pastoralists and wildlife across ecologically diverse regions. By employing various geospatial technologies—such as GPS tracking on livestock—he investigates how communities, wildlife, and livestock adapt to changing climate and political landscapes. Additionally, Dr. Butt critiques scientific and technical assessments that misinterpret the landscapes of rangeland peoples, often resulting in orientalist approaches to development programs. He has a robust background in addressing environmental conflicts, particularly related to wildlife poaching, land grabs, and green energy initiatives. A recipient of the NSF Career Award, Dr. Butt has contributed to numerous scholarly journals, including the Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal of Applied Ecology, and Humanity. He teaches courses on Conservation and Development, Political Ecology, Environmental Security and Conflict, Environmental Governance, and Preparing for International Fieldwork.

Maria Carmen Lemos is a Professor at the University of Michigan, focusing on climate adaptation and the role of knowledge in building adaptive capacity. Her research explores the co-production of science and decision-making, the intersection of development and climate, and the use of climate information across various sectors such as agriculture and urban planning. Lemos has contributed significantly to climate science as a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and has served on several committees for the U.S. National Research Council. She has received multiple awards for her teaching, including the Darden Morton Leadership Faculty Award and the University of Virginia All University Teaching Award. Lemos teaches courses such as Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development and is actively involved in consulting for organizations focused on climate resilience. She holds a B.Sc. from Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, an MSc, and a Ph.D. from MIT in Political Science.

Pamela Jagger is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, specializing in the intersections of poverty and environmental dynamics in low-income countries. She leads the Forest Use, Energy, and Livelihoods (FUEL) Lab and directs the NSF-funded Energy Poverty PIRE in Southern Africa, focusing on energy access and its implications for development. Her research encompasses three main themes: the role of environmental resources in livelihoods, the impacts of environmental governance on access to resources, and household energy access. Jagger has collaborated with prominent organizations such as the World Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute. She teaches courses like Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development and has received numerous accolades for her teaching, including the Darden Outstanding Faculty Award. Jagger holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Indiana University and an MSc in Forest Economics from the University of Alberta. Her work contributes significantly to understanding how environmental policies can enhance human well-being and economic stability in vulnerable communities.