Fellowships

The Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability Fellowship provides research and science-delivery opportunities for graduate students from a diversity of academic disciplines. Selected Fellows conduct projects that contribute to the core mission and vision. Fellows receive a stipend of $5,000 and are required to develop a poster and present their research findings at the close of the fellowship period.

2021 Science Fellowship Application Announcement

The LA Urban Center’s science fellowship provides research and science-delivery opportunities for graduate students from a diversity of academic disciplines and sociodemographic backgrounds. Selected Fellows conduct a one year project that contributes to the core mission and vision of the LA Urban Center. Fellows receive a stipend of $5,000 and are required to develop and deliver a presentation summarizing findings to date at the Spring 202s Fellows Seminar. As a final product, fellows submit a brief technical report as well as a product for a more general audience, showcasing main findings. These materials may be displayed in the LA Urban Center office, or during seminars or outreach events hosted by the Center. In this call for proposals, we are seeking to fill two fellowship slots, addressing key priority areas.

2021 Fellowship Application

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Announcing the 2020-2021 Science Fellowship cohort

The LA Urban Center Executive Oversight Team is pleased to announce the selected 2020-2021 Science Fellowship cohort:

Stephanie Piper

University of California, Riverside
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Research Topic Area:
Urban Tree Canopy & Air Quality

Christian Benitez

California State University, Los Angeles
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Research Topic Area:
“Quantifying Bird Habitat Using LiDAR,” Urban Tree Canopy Biodiversity, Urban Tree Canopy and Green Infrastructure, Urban Tree Canopy and Environmental Justice

Corinne Bassett

University of British Columbia
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Research Topic Area:
Urban Tree Canopy Change Analysis & Impacts of Development

LA’s Urban Forest Equity Visiting Scholar: Dr. Vivek Shandas

With funding provided by Tree People, Accelerate Resilience LA, City Plants is working with Dr. Vivek Shandas as LA’s first Urban Forest Equity Visiting Scholar from July 2020 – March 2021. Vivek Shandas will help regional partners examine in depth how to address the inequitable distribution of LA’s urban forest. Dr. Shandas is a renowned expert on the intersection of public health, equity and green infrastructure and will examine opportunities for tree canopy expansion in low-income, heat-impacted areas. He will make GIS-informed recommendations and assess policy shifts needed to achieve the Mayor’s Green New Deal goal of a 50% increase in tree canopy in disadvantaged communities by 2028. Specifically, Mayor Garcetti’s Green New Deal goal is to “increase tree canopy in areas of greatest need by at least 50% by 2028 to grow a more equitable urban forest that provides cooling, public health, habitat, energy savings, and other benefits.” Dr. Shandas will contribute toward this urban forestry goal by analyzing currently available plantable space and the potential for urban canopy expansion and prioritization through a public health and equity lens. Read Phase I of the report here.

Read the Report

Please watch this website for updates, and/or outputs surrounding the 2020-2021 LA Urban Center Fellows.