Erin Upton, Ph.D.
Environmental Social Scientist
Research & Facilitation Consultant
Landscape Architect

About Me
The purpose of my work is to help create and sustain communities of care and systems of support as we encounter complex environmental challenges. I want to contribute to a world where we not only survive but also thrive.
I am committed to applied interdisciplinary approaches, the co-production of knowledge, and elevating diverse community voices. I am passionate about deepening our understanding of the relationships between people and place.
As a research consultant, I use methods of qualitative inquiry to help organizations and agency partners deepen their capacity, advance their missions, and inform policy and program decision-making. My research interests include larger themes about resilience, transformation, community, and connection. In my work, I explore climate change resiliency, social-ecological systems dynamics,
decision-making about water and land, and sustainable futures in working landscapes.
I have a Ph.D. from Portland State University's School of the Environment and the Department of Environmental Science & Management in Portland, Oregon. My doctoral research examined water and climate change resilience in agricultural wine regions. I have conducted environmental social science research in North America, South Africa, and Australia, and presented my work in Australia, the U.S., Canada, and Brazil.
I have a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia and have worked as a landscape architect in New York City, as well as in management in the wine industry in Oregon. I am a Fellow of the National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Education and Research Trainee (IGERT) program, and a Fellow of the Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) for International Research.
Professional
2022- present
Research & Facilitation Consultant
Erin Upton Consulting
2022- present
Research Scholar
2021-present
Associate Consultant, Research & Evaluation
Portland, Oregon
2020-2021
Researcher
4 Revolutions Co-Creative Ecosystem Group
Food/Water/Resources/Energy & Climate Change
Global Project- North American Team
2017-2020
Social Science Research Assistant
Portland State University
Institute for Sustainable Solutions
Clackamas River Water Providers
Clackamas County Water Environment Services
Clackamas County Soil & Water Conservation District
Oregon
2011-2015
Direct Sales/Operations Manager
Anne Amie Vineyards
Oregon
2007-2010
Landscape Architect
Dirtworks PC
New York City
2002-2004
Programs Administrator
American Academy in Rome
New York City
Service
Parks and Nature Bond Oversight Committee Member
2021- ongoing
Metro Regional Government, Oregon
Vice President of the Board
Ecoseva Institute
2022-ongoing
Technical Advisory Committee Member
2020-2022
Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District, Oregon
Education
2020- Ph.D. Earth, Environment, & Society
Portland State University, Oregon
2007- Master of Landscape Architecture
University of British Columbia, Canada
2006- Landscape Architecture (exchange)
Wageningen University, Netherlands
2001- Bachelor of Arts
University of Oregon, Oregon
2000- Political Science (exchange)
University of Lyon, France
Fellowships
National Science Foundation (NSF) Integrated Graduate Education Research Trainee (IGERT) Fellow
Portland State University
Ecosystem Services for Urbanizing Regions
Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) Fellow & Sylff Research Abroad Grant Recipient
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