Journalist and Author | Specializing in Science, Environment and Sustainability
‘I had the opportunity to work with Lisa during her time at the Wilson Center and SESYNC. She is someone who knows how to synthesize the depth of research and understanding needed to evaluate environmental issues with a grasp of how to effectively engage audiences. She has been a terrific resource in helping me.’
Dr. Ken Conca, American University, 2019
Hello, there!
I am Lisa Palmer, the National Geographic Visiting Professor of Science Communication at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. I teach science communication for science and sustainability majors, and I teach science reporting for undergraduate journalism students. I’m also a mentor and contributor to Planet Forward, GW’s award-winning project of the Center for Innovative Media at the School of Media and Public Affairs.
I participate actively in the national and international discourse on science and socio-environmental issues through writing and publishing, speaking, developing and leading seminars, contributing to digital media, and offering analysis and science communications strategy to research teams. I have consulted on communications with postdoctoral fellows and leadership of major research institutions. An award-winning journalist, I write for publications such as the Nature family of journals, Yale E360, The Guardian, Nautilus, The New York Times, The New Republic, Ensia, Slate, and many others. I am the author of HOT, HUNGRY PLANET: The Fight to Stop a Global Food Crisis in the Face of Climate Change (St. Martin’s Press; 2017).
Previously, I was a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., where I conducted research on global food security, resilience, and policies related to sustainable agriculture. In 2018, the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center awarded me a residency on the theme of science for development. I am a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, the National Association of Science Writers, and the D.C. Science Writers Association. I graduated from Boston University and Simmons College in Boston.
For over two decades, I’ve worked as a journalist, author, and editor. I continue to write about the environment, science and sustainability. As a journalist, my goals are to uncover a great story, be fearless about fact-finding, and tackle a complex subject with a keen reporter’s sense and a wordsmith’s use of language. One of my editors summed up my work this way: “She lays out a story without pretension yet isn’t afraid to send readers running for a dictionary on occasion.”
My skills as a reporter and multimedia storyteller are broad. As a former newspaper reporter and features writer, I’m always interested in finding a great narrative and reporting features without cutting corners.
When I’m not at my desk I’m outdoors. I’m a dedicated runner. Mountains inspire me, and my favorite vacations have been spent in the mountains of Colorado, the Wind River Range, and the Teton Mountains in Wyoming. I’m an alumni of the National Outdoor Leadership School. I also love to ride my mountain bike and road bike.
I live in Maryland on the Severn River at the edge of a nature preserve; and I am the mother of three inspiring young adults, who are now well on their way to take on the world.
Displaced and disenfranchised by decades of war, some Colombians are rebuilding their lives—and their forests—through ranching.
Published in Nature Conservancy, May 30, 2020
Published in Nature, May 30, 2019
Published in Nature Sustainability, July 16, 2018
Published in The New Republic, July 2017
Published in Nature Sustainability, January 8, 2018
Published in Nature Energy, April 11, 2017
Published in The Guardian, December 29, 2017
Published in Nature Climate Change, October 29, 2014
Published in E360, October 25, 2017.
Taught classes in science journalism and science communications in the School of Media and Public Affairs. Mentor students and direct programming for environmental journalism internship and Planet Forward.
Self-motivated, detail-oriented writer, strategic thinker, and producer who translates diverse scientific concepts, discoveries, and research processes to scientific and non-specialist audiences.
Author of Hot, Hungry Planet: The Fight to Stop a Global Food Crisis in the Face of Climate Change (St. Martin’s Press; 2017). As a journalist, served as writer, researcher, editor and producer for major publications and short videos with circulation of 50,000 to over 1 million covering topics from team science, climate change, agriculture, and sustainability to food security, public health, and social sciences.
Energetic and meticulous writer, editor, producer, and researcher working effectively in a self-directed, fast-paced environment. Author of HOT, HUNGRY PLANET (St. Martin’s Press; 2017), awarded journalism prizes and fellowships from The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, the Pulitzer Center, Wilson Center, Vermont Law School, The Knight Center, the Solutions Journalism Network, and Society of Environmental Journalists.
Effective at presenting in a range of settings and media – from interviewing senior leaders and scientists to writing for a lay audience; contributing to news, video, podcasts and radio coverage of published stories; delivering keynotes, moderating panels and media events; conveying written and verbal proposals; and writing and editing reports.
Led and produced multi-disciplinary team resources including photographers, Web editors, and writers to successfully deliver editorial content. Strong ability to maintain focus and dedicate resources to complete projects on time and on budget. Superior organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and assignments while maintaining a sense of humor.
Lecturer and educator in the fields of science communication, science and environmental reporting, sustainability, narrative writing, and international reporting. Led seminars for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and interdisciplinary research teams in areas of science communication, communication strategy, storytelling, and audience analysis.
The George Washington University, School of Media and Public Affairs, Conversations in Science Communication, 2020-2021.
University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, May 2020. Commencement address to students receiving master’s and doctoral degrees. Video archive.
University of Utah, College of Science ACCESS, July 2019. Seminar for freshmen in STEM.
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, April 23-26, 2019, Multiple seminars and keynote on campus covering environmental communication, journalism, and creative writing.
The University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Dec. 5, 2018, Environment and Sustainability, Culinary Mind Network, hosted by the Philosophy Department.
The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, Sept. 23-26, 2018, Multiple seminars on campus covering environmental studies, journalism, and creative writing.
The George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs, Washington, D.C., April 20, 2018World Bank Roundtable: Sustainable Development and the Healthy Future of Food.
University of Iowa College of Public Health, Research Week Keynote speaker, Global food security for peace, agricultural development, health and prosperity, April 3-4, 2018.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Seminar Under-reported and urgent stories on climate change, food security, and public health. November 29 and 30, 2017.
Global Food Security, May 18, 2017, Center for Security and International Studies, Washington, D.C
National Association of Science Writers, Society of Environmental Journalists, Washington, D.C., Science Writers Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors
Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Thematic Residency on Science for Development | 2018
Science Media Fellow, SESYNC | 2015 to 2020
Public Policy Scholar, The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars | 2014 to 2015
Summer Media Fellow, Vermont Law School, Environmental Law Center | 2013
Society of Environmental Journalists and University of Montana 20-20-20 Fellowship | 2010
Society of Environmental Journalists: Rivlin Fellowship | 2008
Knight Fellow, Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, University of Maryland | 2008
Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting Travel Grants | 2017 & 2015
Solutions Journalism Grant | 2013
National Education Reporting Awards | 2013
Rhode Island Press Association | 2007 & 2008
