Laura Taylor awarded Leopold Fellowship

Dr. Laura Taylor, professor of agricultural and resource economics, has been awarded a Leopold Leadership Fellowship. She one of just 20 environmental researchers in North America to receive the prestigious honor this year.

Taylor directs the Center for Environmental and Resource Economic Policy in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. Her research focuses on policy evaluation and the valuation of natural resources and the environment.

The Center for Environmental and Resource Economics Policy provides leadership in economic research and outreach programs to promote forward-thinking environmental policy for North Carolina and the nation. Faculty affiliated with the Center are NC State University economists  who work on collaborative research with natural and social scientists throughout the Research Triangle and surrounding regions of North Carolina.

Based at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, the Leopold Leadership Program provides outstanding academic environmental researchers with skills and approaches for communicating and working with partners in NGOs, business, government and communities to integrate science into decision‐making.

The program is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

This year’s fellows come from 17 institutions in Canada, Mexico and the United States. They will receive intensive training in leadership and communications to help them engage effectively with leaders in the public and private sectors who face complex decisions about sustainability and the environment.

“These 20 outstanding researchers bring different perspectives and new knowledge about today’s most important question: how to meet basic human needs while preserving Earth’s vital systems,” said Executive Director Pam Sturner. “Our program will help them gain skills, approaches and tools to translate their knowledge to action for the leap to sustainability.”

The 2013 fellows are doing innovative research in a wide range of disciplines, including ecology, marine science, economics, behavioral science, entomology, engineering and planning. They join a network of 175 past fellows who are engaged in broad‐based efforts to solve society’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

Fellows were chosen for their outstanding qualifications as researchers, demonstrated leadership ability and strong interest in sharing their knowledge beyond traditional academic audiences.

Fellows participate in a week-long training session on leadership and communications, followed by a year of practicing skills that will advance their efforts to lead change. The fellowship also offers peer networking and mentoring through the Leopold Leadership Network of program advisers, trainers and past fellows.

Previous Leopold Leadership Fellows at NC State include Dr. JoAnn Burkholder, professor of botany; Dr. Nick Haddad, professor of biology; Dr. Meg Lowman, research professor of physical and mathematical sciences; and Dr. Terri Lomax, vice chancellor for research, innovation and economic development.