Dr Natalie Kopytko

Profile

Natalie worked for environmental non-profits and in environmental education prior to returning to academia for a Master’s degree. For her thesis, she focused on how nuclear power creates barriers to climate change adaptation and how nuclear power operation must adapt to climate change. After the Fukushima accident, this research provided insights into the vulnerability of nuclear power to natural disasters beyond earthquakes. For her PhD, she focused on climate change adaptation and mitigation in Ukraine’s agri-food sector. Prior to joining SRI as a lecturer, Natalie held a post-doc researching small-holder farmer seed innovations in India in the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science at Leeds. Natalie remains interested in using an interdisciplinary approach to research the connections between climate change, agriculture, energy and water. However, her interests now include the use of play to engage with learning about complex environmental challenges. In terms of regional focus, Natalie is primarily interested in working in Ukraine.

Qualifications

• PhD Environmental Economics and Environmental Management, University of York
• Master of Environmental Studies, The Evergreen State College
• BSc Biology (Ecology Focus, Environmental Toxicology Minor), Simon Fraser University

Professional memberships

• British Association of the Study of Ukraine (BASU)
• Association for Central, South-Eastern, Eastern European, Baltic, Caucasus, Central and Northern Asian Studies (RUTA)

Student education

I teach on the BSc Sustainability and Environmental Management & BA Environment and Business courses.

Research groups and institutes

• Sustainability Research Institute