I began working in the academic research and consulting arenas even before I completed my undergraduate degree. Therefore, it is likely that you will find some works of mine in a variety of different areas, ranging from strategic alliances to water governance. This page provides you with short summaries of my work to date.
Wastewater policy
Traditionally, the study of wastewater has been neglected by social science scholars. I am interested in holistic, integrative research strategies that examine the hydrological cycle as a whole instead of focusing only on water scarcity. As a result, in the past five years, I have focused my empirical research around sanitation and wastewater policy. I am interested in understanding better water governance methods. I have conducted empirical research using a variety of methods (semi-structured and structured interviews, surveys, document analysis and in-depth literature reviews) on wastewater management in Mexico. The case study I am most familiar with is the Lerma-Chapala river basin in central Mexico. My research has elucidated variations in governance structures, management strategies and degrees of citizen involvement in wastewater policy.
Environmental mobilizations and influence strategies by environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) Ever-changing governance structures and an increased emphasis on citizen participation in environmental policy-making have brought about a shift in the way policy is created and implemented. Civil society organizations have I have a standing interest in understanding ENGO behavior and their degree of influence over industry and national governments. I have conducted empirical research for the past 10 years on how environmental NGOs across North America (Canada, US, Mexico) create transnational networks (coalitions) to influence national governments through various influence mechanisms. The empirical research I have conducted has heavily relied on document analysis, semi-structured and structured interviews.
Urban sustainability and the responses of cities to multiple stressors
My doctoral research focused on the impact of multiple drivers on the industrial restructuring of two clusters embedded in two Mexican cities. I investigated the effect of changes in technology, product mix, environmental regulation, zoning policies and international trade on the way in which individual firms adapted to negative external circumstances. Methodologically, I used a mixed approach, both with quantitative metrics of firm decline and survival and qualitative elements.
North American environmental policy (with an emphasis on pollutant release and transfer registry)
Environmental policy instrument choice is often a tough task for government officials and bureaucrats. The rationale behind regulatory instruments is a lackof trust in the ability of industry to self-regulate. Other instruments’ popularity has increased recently, such as the market-based instruments (cap and trade, green taxes). I am more interested in information-disemination instruments such as the pollutant release inventories. These registries are predicated on the assumption that civil society will use the information acquired about the amount of pollutants to put pressure on government officials.
Recent Comments