Villegas Ortiz, Laura

Laura is an enthusiastic ecological economist, political scientist, and environmental data scientist. She grew up with German Shepherds in a small town in the Colombian Andes and now lives in Nampa, Idaho. Laura loves mountains and her family most of all--but also data, maps, and exploring creative ways to develop analytical tools and apply sound empirical methods to address wicked problems in economic, social, and environmental policy.

Laura has a PhD in economics from North Carolina State University. Her bachelor’s degrees are in economics and political sciences, and her master’s degree is in applied economics-- all from Montana State University.

Laura's education along with her personal and professional experience make her skeptical of mainstream and hegemonic schools of thought and constantly lead her to question the ethical implications of economic analyses in policy making. In her work, Laura favors a pluralistic, interdisciplinary and empirical approach to research and tries to represent the voices of all affected groups.

Research interest

Ecological economics, rural development, climate risk management, work with communities, environmental justice

Service/Engagement

Board of Trustees, The Nature Conservancy Idaho Chapter, 2023-present

Board of Advisors, Idaho Sustainability and energy Coalition, 2023-present

Board Member, United States Society for Ecological Economics, 2023-present

Awards

· Boards and Commissions Fellow, Conservation Voters for Idaho, 2023

· Southeast Climate Science Center Global Change Fellow, 2015-2016

· Goetz Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement, Montana State University, 2010-2011

· Heydar Aliyev Award for Academic Excellence Impacting Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani General Consulate to California and the 13 Western American States, 2011