Erin Upton, Ph.D.
Social Science Researcher & Writer
Portland, Oregon

About Me
I love to dig deep in the exploration and storytelling of relationships between people and place.
I am passionate about understanding the deep and rich human dimensions of complex environmental challenges. I am committed to applied interdisciplinary approaches, the co-production of knowledge, and elevating diverse community voices.
As a consultant with Dialogues in Action, I lead research and evaluation projects. In this work, I use methods of qualitative inquiry to help organization and agency partners deepen capacity and better understand the impacts of their efforts. My research interests include larger themes about resilience, transformation, community, and connection.
I have a Ph.D. from Portland State University's School of the Environment and Department of Environmental Science & Management in Portland, Oregon. My research examines water and climate change resilience in agricultural wine regions. I have conducted environmental and social science research in North America, South Africa, and Australia, and presented my work in Australia, the U.S., Canada, and Brazil.
My research explores climate change resiliency, social-ecological systems dynamics,
decision-making about water and land, and sustainable futures in working landscapes.
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
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
2019- 2020
Social Science Researcher
Clackamas County Soil & Water Conservation District
Oregon
2017-2019
Social Science Research Assistant
Portland State University
Institute for Sustainable Solutions
Clackamas River Water Providers
Clackamas County Water Environment Services
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
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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