by Sanaa Burke, Climate Scholar
Dr. Leah Palm-Forster is at the forefront of research that addresses critical environmental issues, particularly those impacting coastal communities. As the director of the Center for Experiments in Applied Economics (CEAE), she places a strong emphasis on fostering mentorship and leadership among her students and researchers. In a recent conversation, Dr. Palm-Forster shared insights on how her role as a mentor helps to inspire innovation and build confidence in the next generation of environmental economists.
“Mentorship is really important to me,” Dr. Palm-Forster said. “I think that we are mentoring people every day, in all of the ways that we provide guidance, or suggestions, and feedback.” This approach is reflected in the mentorship network she has cultivated within CEAE, where students not only receive academic guidance but also participate in community-building activities designed to promote collaboration. One such event, an upcoming trip to a local orchard, serves as a means of nurturing connections that ultimately inspire students’ research.
Dr. Palm-Forster’s passion for environmental economics stems from her childhood on a farm in Virginia. While agriculture was always a part of her life, it wasn’t until she took a college course in agricultural economics that she realized how policies and incentives could influence environmental and societal outcomes. “I just had this ‘aha’ moment in one of the courses when I realized that the incentives that we create through policies and programs really change how people behave…” she explained. This discovery set her on a path toward addressing larger environmental challenges through her research.
A key project under Dr. Palm-Forster’s leadership is Project WiCCED, an initiative focused on improving water security in Delaware. The project examines critical threats such as salinization and nutrient pollution, with the goal of better understanding how human behavior impacts water quality. The interdisciplinary nature of this work, involving collaboration across economics, natural sciences, and behavioral sciences, allows for a more holistic approach to addressing these environmental issues. “What we do [in] our own homes and businesses and agriculture impacts water quality and the amount of water that we have,” Dr. Palm-Forster said. According to her, understanding these behaviors is key to developing solutions that improve both water quantity and quality.
Beyond her work with Project WiCCED, Dr. Palm-Forster is embarking on an exciting new project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) aimed at helping coastal communities adapt to climate change. What sets this project apart is its focus on community engagement. A community advisory board will work closely with researchers throughout the four-year project, ensuring that the research directly benefits those most affected by climate risks.
In addition to the research, Dr. Palm-Forster’s team is collaborating with an independent film crew to produce a documentary that will highlight the challenges faced by coastal communities. This documentary will be accompanied by a comprehensive educational resource kit, including lesson plans and an interactive economics game. The materials will be used in high schools and colleges, with teacher training programs designed to help educators incorporate these resources into their curricula.
“One of the goals of the project is to develop this educational resource kit, that we can share so that people can learn about what we’re finding in our research,” Dr. Palm-Forster said. By building awareness early, Palm-Forster hopes to inspire future generations to take meaningful action against climate change.
Through her innovative research, dedication to mentorship, and commitment to community engagement, Dr. Palm-Forster is shaping the future of environmental policy and creating pathways for lasting change in the face of growing climate risks. She hopes to not only advance scientific understanding but also to empower future generations to take informed action on pressing environmental challenges. By engaging both communities and educators, she is laying the foundation for lasting change.
