I'm Charlie Chesney.

I'm a Post Doctoral Associate at Cornell University's Center for Conservation Social Sciences focused on equitable solar siting. I am interested in socially and ecologically sustainable energy transisitons and am pursing university teaching roles.

 

About my doctoral dissertation​
I focused my three dissertation chapters under the umbrella of sustainable solar energy development in California's deserts:
 

(1) Living Solar Panels: Cactus-based Electricity
 

(2) Solar Energy Impacts on Avian Habitat Connectivity in California’s Deserts 
 

(3) When State Climate Policy Conflicts with Local Interests
 

I involved undergraduate and high school students throughout my PhD research and found a love for teaching. I TA'd 5 courses and earned a teaching award for my dedication to supporting student learning. Read more about my teaching under the Teaching Portfolio tab.

About me
Beyond teaching, I find joy in creation and connecting with nature. I like to knit and sew clothes. I enjoy painting, pottery, and photography. I am learning more about healthy cooking and baking bread. I also love engaging with the environment through bird watching, camping, and rock climbing. My favorite nature memory is when I walked alone in Yosemite Valley just after sunrise. I find peace in the desert, enjoy silly bumper stickers, and get lost in Steinbeck novels. I also enjoy being a local radio DJ and spoiling my cat, Molly Boo.​​​​​​​​​​