Catherine Brinkley

Associate Professor

  • Community & Regional Development
Dr. Catherine Brinkley is an Associate Professor in Human Ecology, Community and Regional Development in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. With a PhD in city and regional planning, a veterinary medical degree, and a masters in virology, her research focuses on health and design. She is a former Fulbright Scholar, Watson Fellow, and National Science Foundation Career Award Winner.
She has published on topics such as healthy food systems, local government planning and decision-making, and sustainable development. From 2021-2024, Dr. Brinkley currently served as Director for the Center for Regional Change, a university research center that partners with local governments and non-profits for engaged scholarship that centers social equity. Her work is used internationally by the United National Food Agriculture Organization as well as local communities to guide plans and policies. 
Dr. Brinkley leads the Equity, Land, and Food Systems (ELFS) lab group that currently works on informing citizen engagement in local climate and equity planning. Please visit the lab webpage for more information about research and publications.  Her research is also supported by grants through NSF, the USDA, PEW Charitable Trusts, the National Institute of Health Environmental Health Sciences, and several California state agencies."
 
Research Interests
  • Planning for Healthy Communities
Teaching
Awards and Honors
National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2018-2023)
American Fulbright Fellowship (2005)
Watson Fellowship (2004)