Katie P. Bernhard
Katie P. Bernhard is pursuing a dual-title PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment and Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management and is a doctoral researcher in the Integrated Conservation and Development Lab at Penn State. She holds an MSc in Environment and Development Economics with Distinction from the London School of Economics, and BA in Environmental Studies with High Honors from Dartmouth College. Katie previously worked as a statistician and geospatial analyst for the United Nations Development Programme in Rwanda, Uganda, and Yemen, and with World Wildlife Fund in the Greater Mekong subregion. Katie was also an affiliated researcher with University of Rwanda’s Centre for GIS, conducting research supported by International Gorilla Conservation Programme and Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration. Her research uses geospatial data science and statistical methods to understand socioeconomic conditions and vulnerabilities in communities around protected areas and biodiversity hotspots in Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC, and conflict-environment dynamics in contexts of protracted conflict. Further information is available at www.katiepbernhard.com.