Education
PhD, 2002, Caltech, Environmental Science & Engineering
Jennie C. Stephens is the Dean’s Professor of Sustainability Science and Policy at Northeastern’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. Her research, teaching, and community engagement focus on social and political aspects of the renewable energy transition and responses to climate change. Her research focuses on institutional and cultural innovation in the energy sector, including gender diversity and energy democracy, and technological optimism and the “usability” of climate science in climate mitigation and adaptation.
Professor Stephens is a 2015-2016 Leopold Leadership fellow, and her book Smart Grid (R)Evolution: Electric Power Struggles (Cambridge University Press, 2015) explores social and cultural debates about energy system change (co-authored with Wilson & Peterson). Before Northeastern, Professor Stephens was on the faculty at the University of Vermont (2014-2016) and Clark University (2005-2014). She earned her PhD at Caltech in environmental science & engineering and her BA at Harvard in environmental science & public policy.
Selected Publications
BOOKS
- Stephens, JC, EJ Wilson, TR Peterson. 2015. Smart Grid (R)Evolution: Electric Power Struggles. Cambridge University Press.
- Climate Change: An Encyclopedia of Science and History. 2013. Editors: BC Black, DM Hassenzahl, JC Stephens, G Weisel, & N Gift. ABC-Clio Publishers. Santa Barbara, CA.
Awards and Honors
- Leopold Leadership Fellowship, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. 2015-2016
- Henry J. Leir Luxembourg Program-Clark University (LLP-CU) Conference Award. April 2014
- Faculty Community Engagement Award, Colleges of Worcester Consortium. March, 2013
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Department of IDCE, Clark University. May 2011
- Exceptional Merit Faculty Award, Clark University, 2008
- USEPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship for Graduate Study, 1999-2002
- Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Fellowship, 2000-2002
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Fellowship, 1998-1999
- Harvard College Research Fellowship and Dean’s Research Award, 1996
- Pforzheimer Student Fellowship, Radcliffe College, 1994-1995
Professional Associations
- SCORAI (Sustainable Consumption Research Action Initiative)
- New England Women in Energy & Environment
- Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)
- Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E)
- Society for Risk Analysis
- Society for Social Studies of Science (4S)
- American Geophysical Union (AGU)
- American Educational Research Assoc. (AERA)
- American Association of Geographers (AAG)
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Association for Environmental Studies & Science (AESS)
- Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM)
- International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS)