Dana R Fisher

Dana R. Fisher is a Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Maryland and the President of the Eastern Sociological Society. Her research focuses on questions related to democracy, civic engagement, activism, and climate politics — most recently studying political elites’ responses to climate change, how federal service corps programs are working to integrate climate and diversity, equity, and inclusion into their efforts, and activism around climate, systemic racism, and the American Resistance.  Professor Fisher has authored over seventy-five research papers and book chapters and has written six books.  Her seventh book, Saving Ourselves:  From Climate Shocks to Climate Action, is currently under contract with Columbia University Press.  She served as a Contributing Author for Working Group 3 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Review (IPCC AR6) writing about citizen engagement and civic activism.  She is a Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Governance Studies program at The Brookings Institution.  Her media appearances include ABC, CNN, MSNBC, PBS Newshour, and various programs on NPR. Her words have appeared in the popular media, including in the Washington Post, Slate, TIME Magazine, Politico, the Nation, and the American Prospect.  Fisher holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science degree from the Department of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her undergraduate degree is in East Asian Studies and Environmental Studies from Princeton University.