Humans of Udall: Dr. Gina G. Gilson
Meet Udall Center Research Scientist Dr. Gina Gilson
You know who doesn’t have dry humor?
🌊 A water expert! 🥁
Our copy writer might be phoning it in with lame jokes like this one, but our resident Research Scientist brings her A game to the UC every day!
In this installation of our “Humans of Udall” series, we’re thrilled to introduce water governance expert, Oxford PhD graduate, biodiversity Master, and environmental social scientist Dr. Gina G. Gilson (aka “Dr. 3G”)!
With publications in journals like Environmental Research Letters, Conservation & Society, and the Journal of Development Studies, Gina’s dedication to water governance and sustainable development is crystal clear.
Her interests are broadly related to water policy and the intersection between formal and informal institutions with special attention paid to collaborative processes and power dynamics.
In addition to being a rockstar academic, Dr. Gilson is also just a very cool human being. We count ourselves lucky to have her on the team.
We asked her five questions to get to know her a little better and this is what she had to say:
Q1: Define the focus of your work in 10 words or less!
A1: "Environmental governance, with a focus on collaboration and power dynamics."
Q2: Finish this sentence: "When I was little I..."
A2: "When I was little I grew up in a small town in Nebraska that is the home of Arbor Day. I won my hometown pageant in 2008 -- so you can call me Miss Applejack!"
Q3: What puts the "life" in your "work-life" balance?
A3: "I love spending time outside, and I show up for work so much better when I prioritize it. I am a jack of many trades, and truly a master of none. My current favorites are mountain biking, skiing, and surfing, but I am happy to just get out, whether it's a cold water plunge or birdwatching. I'm game!"
Q4: Fun fact!
A4: I lived in Innsbruck, Austria for a few years and many of my friends were photographers. As a result, pictures of me can be found on the cover of a Tirolean hiking guidebook, in advertisements for the local ski pass, and in some social media campaigns for the merino wool clothing brand Mons Royale.
Q5: If you were an emoji, which emoji would you be?
A5: "I've always identified with this guy 🤠. He gives off a sense of innocent enthusiasm. He seems like he's rootin' and tootin' and down for anything life throws his way."