Mapping research connections to environmental justice: Crisis Tree exercise
ModulesMapping research connections to environmental justice: Crisis Tree exercise
This micromodule invites researchers and students to reflect on their work in relation to intersectional environmental justice using a visual “Crisis Tree”. The tree structure helps participants position their projects in broader socio-political and ecological systems, connecting research aims, methods, affected populations, and ethical responsibilities. Drawing on examples from Chapter 6 of the Coloring Connections (Verdonk et al., 2024), this activity uses systems thinking and intersectionality as practical reflection tools for research design and impact assessment.
By the end of the module, participants should be able to:
- Identify systemic factors (e.g., public policy, health equity, urban inequality) that shape research impacts and responsibilities.
- Map research linkages to climate justice, interspecies justice, and gendered (urban) contexts using the “Crisis Tree”.
- Articulate how their research connects with environmental and climate justice using intersectionality-based thinking.
Background, symptoms and root causes of the “Crisis Tree”
Please go through the PowerPoint presentation (summary from chapter 6 of the Coloring Connections, Verdonk et al., 2024)
Please match the key terms related to the Crisis Tree with their descriptions
Match the key terms related to the Crisis Tree with their descriptions
Crisis Tree
Look closely at the image and reflect on the issues that might be affecting your research. Hover over the image to reveal example reflection questions that can help you reflect on your research.
Reflect: Linking theory and visual practice
Note the most important issues that might be affecting your research
