Biography

Kimberly Fields earned her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Pennsylvania, and obtained her B.A. in political science from Temple University.  Kimberly's research interests include the political construction and maintenance of race, inequality, environmental policy, state and local politics, political behavior, and government responsiveness.  She has current or forthcoming publications in Environmental Justice and the Midwest Journal of Social Science on state environmental justice efforts and anti-discrimination ordinances.  Kimberly is working on a book-length manuscript, Just States: Evaluating State Approaches to Environmental Justice.  The book will present the first in-depth analysis of state efforts to address the racial dimensions of environmental inequality through public policy. It also evaluates the development, implementation and political consequences of these efforts and analyzes the role of political discourse, issue framing and policy-making processes in shaping government responses, institutional outcomes and political participation.