The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) at the University of Washington is pleased to announce that Dr. Shana Hirsch will join the faculty as an Assistant Professor beginning in Fall 2026.

Dr. Hirsch is a qualitative social scientist with a background in natural resource politics, policy, and management. Her research focuses on emerging technologies and their impact on individuals, communities, and policies related to sustainability and equity. She is particularly motivated to understand these dynamics to support adaptation and resilience to climate change across all aspects of society.

Her work has focused on marine energy systems, including wave and tidal energy, offshore wind, as well as emerging environmental monitoring and restoration technologies and techniques. Through her research, Dr. Hirsch examines how technological innovation intersects with environmental governance and community experiences.

Dr. Hirsch also emphasizes creative, participatory, and community-engaged research methods. She works collaboratively with communities to shape research questions, gather data, and better understand how people relate to the environment through science and technology.

SMEA looks forward to welcoming Dr. Hirsch to the faculty and to the contributions she will bring to research, teaching, and the broader marine and environmental affairs community.