Alicia Coleman

A Caucasian woman smiles while bundled in a coat, hat, and scarf in winter. She has sunglasses resting on top of her hat. Behind her is snow, bare trees, and a clear sky.
Assistant Professor in Urban and Community Forestry
she/her/hers
aliciac@umn.edu
301E Green Hall

2005 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
United States

Google Scholar
Research
Education

Ph.D. 2022, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Courses taught
Arboriculture: Selection and Maintenance of Trees
Urban Forest Management: Managing Greenspaces for People

Areas of Interest

Urban and Community Forestry, Conservation Social Science, Impact Measurement.

Teaching

My teaching provides foundational knowledge in the theories and practice of urban and community forestry, complementing undergraduate education in forestry, environmental science, and environmental studies and positioning students to pursue additional education in arboriculture, urban forestry, or allied professions. I aim to achieve this by: 1) reinforcing fundamental principles and histories of key topics; 2) encouraging opportunities for students to learn from industry professionals and each other; 3) acknowledging the diversity of perspectives, knowledge, and backgrounds brought together in a classroom.

Research

I am a social scientist, and my research centers on the human dimensions of urban and community forestry. I have explored residents’ willingness to participate in urban tree planting initiatives, preferences for trees on private property, and new ways for stakeholders to assess the co-benefits and impacts of urban and community forestry grant funding. My approach to research aims to be interdisciplinary and scientifically rigorous, while remaining grounded in the realities of applied urban forestry and arboriculture. My research focuses on the following areas of scientific exploration: 1) actualizing equitable, just, and efficient allocations of urban forest resources; 2) assessing the dynamics between urban forest decision makers and institutional tools, techniques, and planning processes; 3) measuring the impact of trees and forests in cities under expanding definitions of ecosystem services.