Debnath Mookherjee Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Rebekah Paci-Green is an associate professor in the Environmental Studies Department and the chair of the department. Her research focuses on how risk perception shapes social vulnerability and unsafe built environments, comprehensive school safety related to natural hazard risks, vulnerable populations, disaster risk reduction, and community-defined resilience. She’s also interested in media coverage of science, as shown by her past involvement advising The Planet magazine and developing the cross-departmental Science and Management of Contaminated sites (SMoCS) course. Dr. Paci-Green just completed a two-year major policy survey of school safety policies across 46 countries, work that has opened up research opportunities for students in the Disaster Risk Reduction minor.  She teaches courses in social vulnerability, disaster policy, and natural hazards planning, advises graduate student research, and is one of the faculty advisors for RISE, a new summer research program for undergraduates.

The nomination emphasized Dr. Paci-Green’s teaching style, how she facilitates learning of real-life applicable skills and concepts, and how the coursework makes students feel like their work is relevant and important. Her dedication to supporting student academic success goes well beyond the classroom through office hours, writing letters of recommendation, giving career advice, and helping to facilitate the Emergency Management Club. Through her drive for teaching and learning, Dr. Paci-Green is a role model for all.