Deepti Chatti

Professional Summary: Professor Deepti Chatti

Professor Deepti Chatti is a distinguished academic at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she serves in the Department of Environmental Studies. Her work focuses on critical issues at the intersection of environmental justice, energy systems, and sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on the Global South. Below is a detailed overview of her academic background, research, career trajectory, and contributions to her field.

Academic Background and Degrees

Dr. Chatti holds advanced degrees that reflect her interdisciplinary expertise in environmental studies and energy policy:

• Ph.D. in Environmental Studies, Yale University, with a focus on energy access and environmental justice.
• Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy, Duke University.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Chatti’s research centers on the socio-environmental dimensions of energy transitions, particularly in developing countries. Her work explores:

• Energy access and clean cooking technologies in rural India.
• Environmental justice and the impacts of energy policies on marginalized communities.
• Gendered dimensions of resource use and sustainable development.

Her scholarship bridges theoretical frameworks with on-the-ground realities, contributing to policy discussions on sustainable and equitable energy systems.

Career History and Appointments

Dr. Chatti has built a robust academic career with positions at notable institutions:

• Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies, Cal Poly Humboldt (current position).
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of California, Santa Cruz, focusing on energy and environmental justice.

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Chatti has been recognized for her impactful research through several prestigious awards and fellowships:

• Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowship, supporting fieldwork in India on energy access.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant, funding research on clean energy transitions.
• Yale Tropical Resources Institute Fellowship, for studies on environmental challenges in the Global South.

Key Publications

Dr. Chatti has authored and co-authored several influential works in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. Some of her notable publications include:

• Chatti, D. (2019). 'Cooking with Gas? Unpacking the Social Dynamics of LPG Adoption in Rural India.' Energy Research & Social Science.
• Chatti, D., et al. (2021). 'Gendered Geographies of Energy: Women’s Labor in Clean Cooking Transitions.' Geoforum.
• Chatti, D. (2018). 'Energy Access and Environmental Justice: A Case Study from South Asia.' In Handbook of Environmental Justice, edited by R. Holifield et al.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Chatti’s research has significantly influenced the fields of environmental studies and energy policy by highlighting the social and gendered dimensions of energy transitions. Her work on clean cooking technologies in India has informed international development policies and programs aimed at reducing indoor air pollution and improving health outcomes for rural communities. Her emphasis on environmental justice has also contributed to broader academic and policy dialogues about equitable resource distribution in the context of climate change.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Dr. Chatti is an active participant in academic and public forums, sharing her expertise through lectures and service roles:

• Invited speaker at the International Energy Agency (IEA) workshop on clean energy access (2020).
• Panelist at the Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting, presenting on energy justice (2019).
• Member of the editorial board for the journal Energy Research & Social Science.
• Serves on committees at Cal Poly Humboldt focused on sustainability and curriculum development in environmental studies.