Hi. I'm Gwen.
I'm a sixth-year student in Indiana University's public policy PhD program, a joint degree program housed in the Department of Political Science and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. I am affiliated with the Workshop on Political Theory and Policy Analysis. My advisor is Dr. Elinor Ostrom. Starting in August 2012, I will be an assistant professor of environmental policy in the Department of Political Science at the University of Cincinnati.
My research interests include the use and interpretation of scientific information by street-level bureaucrats; bureaucratic adoption and implementation of science policy innovations; assessment of wetland and ecosystem services, functions, and values; adaptive management and policy learning; and how institutional imperatives affect the function of large natural resource bureaucracies. Much of my research focuses on wetlands, resources that are critically important but too often overlooked.
I enjoy teaching and take it seriously. Many students pay for their education with expensive loans and significant personal sacrifice. University instructors need to offer them educational opportunities commensurately valuable.
When I'm not busy with academic pursuits you'll find me swimming, watching Michigan football, and playing outside with the best dog on the face of the earth (his name is Foster).
You can contact me at gbarnold@indiana.edu.