James J. A. Blair, Ph.D.

Dr. James J. A. Blair is Associate Professor in Geography and Anthropology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He also teaches and advises graduate students at the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. Blair holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from The Graduate Center, City University of New York. Rooted in cultural and environmental anthropology, as well as human geography, Blair's research employs ethnographic and historical methods to advance the interdisciplinary fields of political ecology, science, technology and society (STS), and settler colonial studies. His work centers on energy, water and environmental justice, especially related to extractive industries, including mining, fossil fuels, dams, logging, and fishing. Specific case studies include: geothermal lithium extraction at the Salton Sea in California; lithium mining, hydroelectric dams, and industrial logging in Chile and Argentina; as well as offshore oil and commercial fishing in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Blair’s research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, Fulbright-IIE, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Mellon Foundation/American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), 11th Hour Project/The Schmidt Family Foundation, and Hewlett Foundation. In addition to his research, Blair has professional experience as an expert consultant for non-profit organizations, law firms, and philanthropic foundations. He has served as an Equity Technical Advisor for Comite Civico del Valle, a Fellow with Climate & Community Institute, an International Advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), as well as Land Agency Coordinator for Sierra Club.

For more information visit: www.jamesjablair.com