Researcher and policy strategist with a PhD in climate justice, collaborative governance, and urban adaptation. Experienced in environmental planning, public policy analysis, and community engagement, Background in non-profits, government, and consulting. Skilled in creating innovative climate solutions, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and navigating complex policy landscapes. Committed to driving equity-focused climate action and sustainable and resilient futures for our cities.   

EXPERIENCE

PhD Researcher – Urban Transformation & Change Lab (TURBA)

SEP 2019 - JUNE 2024 : Barcelona, Spain

  • Conducted analysis, developed frameworks, and reported on climate justice initiatives.

  • Led participatory and case-study research, facilitated communities of practice, and supported collaborative adaptation governance amongst researchers, governments, and communities.

  • Collected novel data on climate planning and policy to inform justice-oriented urban adaptation planning and implementation. 

  • Analyzed public policy and government processes for climate adaptation in cities leading to recommendations and strategic plans for community-government partnerships and collaboration.

Climate Justice Advisor & Researcher – Potrero Group & CivicMakers

OCT 2021 - MAY 2024 : SF Bay Area, CA

  • Engaged with 40 stakeholders from 20 municipalities to design surveys and conducted interviews for comparative research on urban parks and equitable environmental planning and management. 

  • Collected, analyzed, and presented research design, findings, and recommendations incorporated into plans and strategies for climate action and equitable adaptation.

  • Developed frameworks to evaluate climate finance, supporting community-led research on budget equity in the United States.

Associate Director of Planning and Project Delivery – San Francisco Parks Alliance

AUGUST  2017 - AUGUST 2019 : San Francisco, CA

  • Worked with multiple tech startups to develop tools to monitor and evaluate the implementation of environmental policy. 

  • Collaborated with startups to identify challenges and barriers while building relationships and evaluating pathways forward, resulting in a successful procurement process. All technologies were adopted by local departments. 

  • Worked with government partners, entrepreneurs, and community organizations to navigate the public procurement process, lobbying environment, and coalition building. 

Associate Planner – Urban Planning Partners

JULY 2016 - AUGUST 2017 : Oakland, CA

  • Conducted outreach, research, and analysis to evaluate opportunities, roadblocks, and possible partnerships to ensure the success of resilient, sustainable, and equitable policy at the local, regional, and state levels.  

  • Worked with representatives, community members, and funders to develop and implement tools, resource guides, and processes for policy change. 

  • Developed KPIs and metrics to define success and ensure impact. 

Policy Manager – San Francisco Parks Alliance 

MAY  2013 - JULY 2016 : San Francisco, CA

  • Advised and supported 20+ organizations working on environmental justice and public space improvement, developing tailored research and strategies for growth and development.

  • Worked with grant recipients through a 9-month cohort program, including workshops, communities of practice, trainings, curriculum, and peer-to-peer learning. 

  • Researched and advised on funding opportunities and policy priorities and provided stakeholder engagement recommendations.


EDUCATION

  • PhD: Science, Technology, & Culture. Open University of Catalunya. Barcelona, Spain

  • MS: Community Development. University California. Davis, CA

  • BA: Political Science. Whitman College. Walla Walla, WA 

PUBLICATIONS

  • Strange, K, Satorras, M, & March, H, (2024) Incorporating climate justice into adaptation planning: the case of San Francisco. Cities, Volume 144, 104627, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104627. 

  • Strange, K, Satorras, M., & March, H. (2024). Intersectional climate action: the role of community-based organizations in urban climate justice. Local Environment, 1-21, https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2024.2315992.

  • Strange, K, Satorras, M, & Hug, M, (2022) Bridging Urban Climate Justice and Participatory Governance to Explore the Transformative Capacity of Climate Resilience. In: I. Ruiz-Mallén et al. (eds.), Urban Resilience to the Climate Emergency, The Urban Book Series, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07301-4_2.