Dana R. Fisher is a dynamic speaker and author who writes about activism, democracy and climate policy.  She is the Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity (CECE) and a Professor in the School of International Service at American University, as well as a Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Governance Studies program at The Brookings Institution and the chair of the Political Sociology section of the American Sociological Association.  

Her most recent book, "Saving Ourselves: from Climate Shocks to Climate Action" was published in 2024 by Columbia University Press. In fall 2024, she delivered a TED talk about being an apocalyptic optimist based on her recent book. She served as a Contributing Author for Working Group 3 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Review (IPCC AR6) writing about citizen engagement and civic activism.  

Her media appearances include ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, PBS Newshour, and various programs on NPR, BBC, and CBC. Her words have appeared in the popular media, including in the Washington Post, Slate, TIME Magazine, Politico, the Nation, Teen Vogue, the Hill, and the American Prospect.  

Fisher earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has authored over eighty research papers and book chapters and has written seven books.  For more details, see her website.