Andrew Pattison

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Andrew Pattison

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies

Department/Office Information

Environmental Studies

Contact

(315) 228-7099

My research and teaching interests include subnational climate policy and planning, environmental politics, policy learning and narratives, wilderness and social-ecological systems management, and the role of science in the policy process. In terms of methods, I have used quantitative analysis of local and national scale carbon emission inventories, survey data, and qualitative analysis from field interviews and policy documents. I also have employed natural language processing and machine learning to analyze fracking policy narrative strategies within large datasets of social media use. My most recent project is an interdisciplinary analysis of wilderness and land management policies in a national park in Baja California, Mexico, which involved multiple field visits and dozens of interviews with park managers and local community members. I integrate community-based research into my classes whenever possible. Previously, I worked as a climate and sustainability analyst and planner. I have also served in City Council-appointed and Governor-appointed positions and on the board of directors for multiple nonprofit organizations related to environmental policy, civic engagement, and housing. I am part of The Scholars Strategy Network, which provides jargon-free research on the nation’s most challenging policy problems. 

PhD Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver
MPA Environmental Policy, Management, and Law, University of Colorado Denver
BA Biology, Environmental Studies minor, Skidmore College

Condors over Cattle: Managed Wilderness and the Pastoral Tradition in Northern Baja California. 2024. Pattison, A., and B. Rasmussen. 2024. Journal of the Southwest. 66(3): 330-361. 

Fracking Twitter: Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing Tools for the Identification of Coalition and Causal Narratives. 2023. Andrew Pattison, Will Cipolli III, Jose Marichal, and Christopher Cherniakov. Politics & Policy. 51(5): 755-774.

The Devil We Know and the Angel that Did Not Fly: An Examination of Devil / Angel Shift in Twitter Fracking “Debates” in NY 2008–2018. 2022. Andrew Pattison, Will Cipolli III, and Jose Marichal. Review of Policy Research. 39(1): 51-72.  

The Uneven Weight of Carbon on Policy: Towards a Framework for Understanding How Greenhouse Gas Inventories Can Inform Equitable Climate Policy Design. 2022. Andrew Pattison, Matthew T. Clement, and Robert Habans. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 12(1): 81-90. 

Community-based Climate Action Planning as An Act of Advocacy: A Case Study of Liberal Arts Education in A Rural Community. 2021. Andrew Pattison, Christopher R. Henke, and John Pumilio. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 11(2): 183-193.   

Carbon Emissions and Climate Policy Support by Local Governments in California: A Qualitative Comparison Analysis at the County Level. 2019. Robert Habans, Matthew Clement, and Andrew Pattison. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 9(3): 255-269.

Factors Shaping Policy Learning: A Study of Policy Actors in Subnational Climate and Energy Issues. 2018. Andrew Pattison. Review of Policy Research. 35(4): 535-565. 

Equitable Local Climate Action Planning: Sustainable & Affordable Housing. 2018. Andrew Pattison and Jason Kawall. Ethics, Policy & Environment. 20(4): 17-20. 

Scaling down the 'Netherlands Fallacy': a local-level quantitative study of the effect of affluence on the carbon footprint across the United States. 2017. Matthew Thomas Clement, Andrew Pattison, and Robby Habans. Environmental Science & Policy. 78: 1-8. 

"The Pitfalls and Promises of Climate Action Plans: Transformative Resilience Strategy in U.S. Cities". 2017. Chandra Russo and Andrew Pattison. In Resilience, Environmental Justice and the City. Edited by B. S. Caniglia, M. Vallée, and B. F. Frank. New York, NY: Routledge. 

"Climate Action Planning: The Urban Equity Dilemma. Chandra Russo and Andrew Pattison". 2016. In Systemic Crises of Global Climate Change: Intersections of Race, Class, and Gender. Edited by P. Godfrey & D. Torres. New York, NY: Routledge. 

Ecological Modernization or Aristocratic Conservation: Examining the Impact of Affluence on Carbon Emissions at the Local Level. 2014. Andrew Pattison, Robert Habans, and Matthew Thomas Clement. Society and Natural Resources. 27(8): 850-866. 

Social Construction and Policy Design: A Review of Past Applications. 2014. Jonathan J. Pierce, Saba Siddiki, Michael D. Jones, Kristin Schumacher, Andrew Pattison, and Holly Peterson. Policy Studies Journal. 42(1): 1-29. 

A Social-Ecological Infrastructural Systems (SEIS) Framework for Interdisciplinary Study of Sustainable City Systems: An Integrative Curriculum Across Seven Major Disciplines. 2012. Anu Ramaswami, Christopher Weible, Deborah Main, Tanya Heikkila, Saba Siddiki, Andrew Duvall, Andrew Pattison, and Meghan Bernard. Journal of Industrial Ecology. 16(6): 801-813. 

Policy Analytical Capacity Inside and Outside Government: A Case Study of Colorado Climate and Energy Issues. 2012. Dallas Elgin, Andrew Pattison, and Christopher M. Weible. Canadian Political Science Review.6(1): 101-116. 

Policy Analytical Capacity and Policy Activities. 2012. Christopher Weible, Dallas Elgin, and Andrew Pattison. Canadian Political Science Review. 6(1): 125-137. 

Harnessing Expert-Based Information for Learning and the Sustainable Management of Complex Socio-Ecological Systems. 2010. Christopher M. Weible, Andrew Pattison, and Paul Sabatier. Environmental Science & Policy. 13(6): 522-534.

  • Redefining Wilderness: Comparative Perspectives and Policy Impacts in Protected Areas Across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Mexico. With Leigha Shultze and Charlie Tourbaf.
  • Community-based Climate Policy & Planning in The NY Climate Smart Communities Program. With Boyana He, Robyn Landes, Chris Henke, and John Pumilio.
  • Conservation Biology & Policy: A Case Study of a Co-taught, Interdisciplinary Course Including Community-based Student Research. With Catherine Cardelús.

Colgate University, Environmental Studies Program, 2016 - Present 

  • ENST 241: Sustainability & Climate Action Planning
  • ENST 250: Environmental Policy Analysis
  • ENST/POSC 335: U.S. Environmental Politics
  • ENST 308 Rivers: Resources, Politics & Environmental Change (co-taught with Geology faculty)
  • ENST 389: Conservation Biology & Policy (co-taught with Biology faculty)
  • ENST 450: Community-based Study of Environmental Issues (co-taught with various faculty)
  • ENST 309 Australian Environmental Issues (Study Group)
  • CORE C175: Wilderness (Liberal Arts Core Curriculum, Communities component) 

California Lutheran University, Department of Policy Studies (MPPA Program), 2012-2016

  • Implementation and Analysis of Public Policy
  • Sustainable Development Policy
  • Research Methods
  • Climate and Energy Policy
  • Organizational Theory
  • Introduction to Public Administration

University of Colorado Denver, School of Public Affairs (MPA Program), 2010-2011

  • Introduction to Public Administration & Public Service
  • “New York’s Climate Smart Communities Program: A Study of Climate Policy Capacity in NY Towns and Villages.” He, B., C. Henke, R. Landes, A. Pattison, and J. Pumilio. Stakeholder Report, April 2025.
  • “NY Climate Law is Promising, but Public Needs More Time to Comment.” Cannavò, P., A. Lowry, A. Pattison, and A. Strong. 2022. Syracuse Post-Standard. April 21, 2022.
  • "Social Equity & Local Climate Action Planning." Andrew Pattison. Presented for The New York State Climate Smart Communities Program & New York Department of Environmental Conservation. October 12, 2017.   
  • "The Importance of Sustainable Affordable Housing: A Story from San Buenaventura" (2016). Nicholas Birck and Andrew Pattison. Journal of Housing & Community Development. 72(3): 18-23.
  • "Expand Public-private Partnerships to Increase Affordable Housing" (2016). Andrew Pattison. Pacific Coast Business Times. January 22.
  • "The Nexus of Climate Change and Affordable Housing" (2015). Nicholas Birck and Andrew Pattison. Ventura County Star. January 5.
  • "Energy Management and Conservation: Municipal Best Practices" (2007). Andrew Pattison. A publication of the Colorado Municipal League and the Wirth Chair in Sustainable Development.
  • 2023 - present, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Colgate University
  • 2017 - 2023, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Colgate University
  • 2016 - 2017, Burke Chair in Regional Studies & Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Colgate University
  • 2015 - 2016, Visiting Assistant Professor of Policy Studies, California Lutheran University
  • 2013 - 2015, Visiting Instructor of Policy Studies, California Lutheran University
  • 2011 - 2012, Senior Planner & Project Manager, Sustainability & Climate, Pacific Municipal Consultants
  • 2010 - 2011, Sustainability Officer, Auraria Higher Education Center