Diana Stuart

About

Dr. Diana Stuart is a Professor in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University, where she has been a faculty member since 2015. She is an environmental sociologist whose primary research focuses on social science analysis of climate change solutions, climate politics, the climate movement, social theory, and social transformation. Dr. Stuart also has done work focused on the political economy of biodiversity loss.

Research Interests

Environmental Sociology

• Investigation of social drivers of environmental problems
• Analysis of human-environment interactions
• Understanding social dimensions of environmental change
• Examining environmental justice and equity issues

Climate Change Solutions

• Research on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies
• Analysis of proposed climate solutions and their effectiveness
• Investigation of social and political barriers to climate action
• Development of alternative approaches to environmental challenges

Environmental Social Theory

• Post-growth theory and policy
• Critical theory
• Political economy of environmental problems and solutions

Education

• Ph.D. Environmental Studies, UC Santa Cruz
• M.S. Forest Resources, University of Washington
• B.S. Environmental Science, UC Berkeley

Research Impact

Dr. Stuart has written multiple books, over 60 journal articles, and her publications have been cited over 3,000 times.

Major Publications

Books

• “Rejecting Climate Doomism” (University of Michigan Press, 2026)
• “A Climate Agenda for System Change” (Mayfly,2023)
• “What is Environmental Sociology” (Polity, 2021)
• “The Degrowth Alternative: A Path to Address Our Environmental Crises?” (Routledge, 2021)
• “Climate Change Solutions: Beyond the Capital-Climate Contradiction” (University of Michigan Press, 2020)

Research Areas

• Social dimensions of climate change solutions
• Biodiversity conservation and political economy
• Environmental movements and social transformation

Current Research Focus

Dr. Stuart’s recent research has focused on:

• Climate activism and social movements
• Critical analysis of mainstream environmental solutions
• Climate doomism and motivation for climate action

Professional Recognition

• Member of the Brown Climate Social Science Network
• Contributor to publications including Truthout and Common Dreams
• Recognized scholar in environmental sociology and sustainability studies

Teaching and Mentorship

Dr. Stuart teaches courses in:

• Climate change and society
• Social theory and environmental problems

Professional Service

• Reviewer for environmental sociology and sustainability journals
• Contributor to public discourse on environmental issues
• Member of professional organizations in sociology and environmental studies

Research Philosophy

Dr. Stuart’s work is grounded in critical environmental sociology, examining how social structures, economic systems, and power relations shape environmental problems and proposed solutions. Her research emphasizes the need for transformative social change to address environmental crises effectively.

Public Engagement

Dr. Stuart actively engages with public audiences through:

• Writing for popular publications on environmental issues
• Contributing to policy discussions on environmental solutions
• Bridging academic research with practical environmental action