Hannah Palmer

Climate science + education + policy

Berkeley, California, United States

About

​I am a climate scientist and environmental policy professional dedicated to leveraging science to inform decision making. I am passionate about evidence-based policymaking and inclusive STEM education. I am currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of California, Davis in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department. I previously served as an AAAS/GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellow leading energy, environment, and agriculture policy for a US Senator and as a University of California, Chancellors Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California Merced. I earned a PhD in Earth and Planetary Science from the University of California, Davis.

Experience

  • Visiting Assistant Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at University of California, Davis
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Visiting Assistant Professor in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department. Teaching oceanography courses, including large, lower division, general education courses, upper division courses, and graduate courses. Piloted and developed community-engaged graduate course partnering with NGOs and CA state agencies focused on oceans and human health

  • AAAS Congressional Science & Engineering Fellow at United States Senate
    Aug 2022 - Aug 2023 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Congressional Science Fellow in the office of Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Led climate, energy, environment, and agricultural policy.

  • Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellow at University of California, Merced
    Sep 2021 - Aug 2022 · 1 yr

    Conducted research on impacts of wildfire on burned landscapes. Built interdisciplinary collaborations and secured funding to conduct novel research. Mentored undergraduate and graduate students.

  • University of California, Davis (5 yrs 2 mos)
    • Graduate Student Researcher
      Aug 2016 - Sep 2021 · 5 yrs 2 mos

      Investigated climate and ocean change in the past 11,000 years along the US West Coast Published research in major academic journals and in multiple public-facing media Collaborated with researchers from diverse disciplines and institutions

    • Teaching Assistant
      Sep 2016 - Mar 2018 · 1 yr 7 mos

      Taught three discussion and laboratory courses: The Earth, Oceanography, and Biological Oceanography Designed and implemented new modules on critical thinking, scientific writing, and experimental design

  • Science Fellow at California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)
    Apr 2020 - Nov 2020 · 8 mos

    Co-authored a report on Costs and Losses of Wildfire in California with an intended audience of legislative, agency, and executive leadership for the State of California; including leadership of sections on societal cost of wildfire, wildfire impacts on water infrastructure, and wildfire impacts on certain populations Built relationships with economists, industry leaders, health specialists, and social scientists to address challenge of wildfire