David Herrera

Biography

David Herrera is an Assistant Professor in the School of the Environment at San Francisco State University. His current research explores how environmental justice organizations influence local and state policy through the implementation of community organizing and coalition building strategies. Specifically, he analyzes how environmental justice organizations overcome barriers to agenda setting and collaboration so that the interests of marginalized communities are better represented in decision-making and policy spaces. He is a passionate advocate for environmental justice and climate action and collaborates with several Bay Area based grassroots organizations. He is deeply invested in advocacy and research that helps elevate the voices of marginalized communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental racism, climate change, and other intersecting issues. Dr. Herrera’s work extends to other areas including legislative responsiveness and policy effectiveness to address climate change and environmental justice issues within states, vulnerability and critical infrastructure to heatwaves and wildfires, and integrating justice and equity in environmental literacy.

Prior to joining SF State, he completed his doctoral degree in Political Science at Brown University with a specialization in American Politics. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in Political Science from Brown University. His research has been supported by the Kennedy King Memorial College Scholarship Fund, the Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation, the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, Brown University’s Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy, and Brown University’s Political Science Department.