Justice and Nature Team

The Justice and Nature Research Group is an interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together scholars from various departments and colleges across the University of Utah. This assemblage of researchers, professors, and students fosters a rich exchange of perspectives and expertise, enabling a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between justice and nature.

The group draws its members from a wide range of disciplines, including Health & Kinesiology, Environmental & Sustainability Studies, and Environmental Humanities, among others.

Atefeh "Nasim" Dorostkar

PhD Student

Atefeh, "Nasim", is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Parks, Tourism, and Recreation at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on homelessness and public urban spaces, exploring how different types of public spaces support marginalized communities and contribute to social equity and sustainable development. She serves as a Teaching Assistant (TA) and Research Assistant (RA) in the program. With a background in architecture and urban studies, she is particularly interested in the intersection of social sustainability, public spaces, and community well-being.

Paige Fery

Graduate Research Assistant

Paige is a PhD student in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah. Her academic and research interests explore the nexus between outdoor recreation experiences and social justice issues. Her work primarily focuses on park and protected areas to address social ecological concerns.

Carly Knudsen

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Carly is a master's student in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism department. She is interested in perceptions and access to different types of "nature," and how parks, recreation and tourism may interface with public health policies and programming. In addition to the Nature and Justice lab, Carly works with University of Utah employee wellness programming, as well as on the Community Health in Recreation and Parks (CHRP) project.

Abby Laskey

PhD Student

Abby (they/them) is a first-year graduate student in the Environmental Humanities program interested in researching natural spaces in non-traditional environments, access to environmental/experiential education and outdoor recreation for marginalized populations, and community connections to natural spaces.

KangJae "Jerry" Lee, PhD

Assistant Professor

Jerry’s research has focused on (1) racial and ethnic disparities in public parks and nature-based recreation and (2) the sociological and psychological mechanisms by which outdoor recreation contributes to health and well-being. Multiple media outlets have covered Lee’s research, and he is currently working on a book project on historical discrimination in U.S. public parks.

Sasha Mader

Graduate Assistant

Sasha is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Her research interests include leisure as resistance, gender equity and representation in the outdoors, and the narratives that shape our contemporary relationships with leisure and recreation.

Lisa Meerts-Brandsma, PhD

Assistant Professor

Lisa studies how to leverage recreation experiences and systems to provide meaningful and culturally relevant experiences for youth and emerging adults. Her research aims to support the healthy development and well-being of individuals and examine how recreation experiences can equip them with skills and resources needed to address injustices and inequities in their lives. Her primary interest is in improving recreation opportunities for marginalized groups while recognizing this focus benefits all.

Jeff Rose, PhD

Assistant Professor

Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah. His research examines systemic inequities expressed through political economy, relationships to nature, class, and race. He uses this justice-focused lens to study homelessness in parks, social-ecological systems, and outdoor experiences.

Justice and Nature Team

Justice and Nature Team

College of Health