Biography
Kanchan Ojha is a Ph.D. student in the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program at Oregon State University, focusing on the social and human dimensions of environmental issues, particularly climate change. Her Master’s degree in Public Policy shapes her understanding of the intersection between environmental science and policymaking. Her research focuses on how cultural traits influence individual and community responses to wildfires. Additionally, she is investigating the impacts of climate change on agricultural communities, especially farmers and ranchers, by exploring how they experience, adapt to, and cope with climate-related stress and grief.
Prior to her Ph.D. studies, Kanchan spent 6 years working in Nepal, collaborating with rural communities, policymakers, and conservation stakeholders to develop impactful environmental initiatives. Service is at the core of her work, and she serves in the University and on the community boards on women’s, minority, inclusion, and environmental and climate change issues. She was recognized as a 2023 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Voices for Science fellow and is a 2024 Local Science Partner, underscoring her commitment to environmental advocacy and public engagement.
