Catherine Ashcraft

Catherine Ashcraft

Associate Professor
Phone: (603) 862-3925
Office: James Hall, Room 134, Durham, NH 03824
Websites:
I am interested in the human dimensions of ecological systems. I focus on how environmental policies and institutions are negotiated and designed, how they respond to change, and are renegotiated. I apply this research to develop actionable recommendations for negotiators to better manage conflict and uncertainty and for international and global institutions to promote sustainability and environmental justice. I am particularly interested in freshwater systems and the nexus between water, energy, climate and agriculture. I am eager to build bridges between environmental research, teaching and practice. Current research projects include adaptive and integrated approaches to flood risk management in Europe and New England, institutions for managing conflict and uncertainty in the Danube and Nile Rivers, and international water diplomacy. I’m currently co-editing a book with Dr. Tamar Mayer on The Politics of Fresh Water, which is under contract with Routledge/Earthscan. I am also a faculty fellow at UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy and a Senior Researcher at the Center for Conflict Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

I am always looking for graduate students who are motivated and passionate about interdisciplinary work on the human dimensions of ecological systems. I strive to support students on my research grants, but also expect and work with students to seek external sources of funding. If you are interested in applying to work with me, please email me your CV and a brief description of your background and interests.

Courses Taught

  • NR 600: Work Experience
  • NR 602: Nat Resources&Envrnmtl Policy
  • NR 606: International Energy Topics
  • NR 720/820: Intl Envrnmt Politics&Policies
  • NR 724/824: Resolving Environmtl Conflicts

Education

  • Ph.D., Urban and Regional Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • M., Environmental Science, Yale University
  • B.A., Biology and Philosophy of Science, University of Pennsylvania

Selected Publications

  • Huang, J., Ashcraft, C. M., & Mo, W. (2025). Gamifying water crisis management: A serious game for drinking water contamination emergency response.. PLoS One, 20(4), e0321210. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0321210

  • Chapman, S. T., Ashcraft, C. M., Hamilton, L. C., & Congalton, R. G. (2023). Informing aquatic restoration decisions using environmental justice in New Hampshire. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 25(5), 586-597. doi:10.1080/1523908x.2023.2229247

  • Urcuqui-Bustamante, A. M., Selfa, T., Ashcraft, C. M., Asbjornsen, H., Jones, K. W., Manson, R. H., & Mayer, A. (2023). Using science-based role-play simulations to inform payment for hydrological services program design in Mexico. Environmental Science & Policy, 139, 71-82. doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2022.10.016

  • Mo, W., Hart, D., Ashcraft, C. M., Chester, M., Cucurachi, S., Lu, Z., & Miller, S. A. (2023). Integrating knowledge co-production with life cycle assessment. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 188, 106650. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106650

  • Urcuqui-Bustamante, A. M., Selfa, T. L., Jones, K. W., Ashcraft, C. M., Manson, R. H., & Asbjornsen, H. (2022). Learning impacts of policy games: investigating role-play simulations (RPS) for stakeholder engagement in payment for hydrological services program in Veracruz, Mexico. Socio-Ecological Practice Research, 4(4), 305-323. doi:10.1007/s42532-022-00131-9

  • Westman, L., Patterson, J., Macrorie, R., Orr, C. J., Ashcraft, C. M., Broto, V. C., . . . Webb, R. (2022). Compound urban crises. AMBIO, 51(6), 1402-1415. doi:10.1007/s13280-021-01697-6

  • Urcuqui-Bustamante, A. M., Selfa, T. L., Hirsch, P., & Ashcraft, C. M. (2021). Uncovering Stakeholder Participation in Payment for Hydrological Services (PHS) Program Decision Making in Mexico and Colombia. SUSTAINABILITY, 13(15). doi:10.3390/su13158562

  • Malloy, J. T., & Ashcraft, C. M. (2020). A framework for implementing socially just climate adaptation. CLIMATIC CHANGE, 160(1), 1-14. doi:10.1007/s10584-020-02705-6

  • Weir, M. J., Ashcraft, C. M., Leuchanka Diessner, N., McGreavy, B., Vogler, E., & Guilfoos, T. (2020). Language effects on bargaining. PLOS ONE, 15(3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0229501

  • Diessner, N. L., Ashcraft, C. M., Gardner, K. H., & Hamilton, L. C. (2020). I'll be dammed! Public preferences regarding dam removal in New Hampshire. ELEMENTA-SCIENCE OF THE ANTHROPOCENE, 8(1). doi:10.1525/elementa.003

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  • Most Cited Publications