Fellows

David Kay is a faculty member and Senior Extension Associate with Cornell University’s Department of Global Development. Initially trained as an economist, David’s career has focused on socioeconomic perspectives and local policy in the areas of energy, land use, community development and regional economics. David’s current research and extension agenda is broadly concerned with the community and economic development implications of energy transitions and climate change,  and with rural connectivity issues.  As a practicing mediator and educator, he is particularly interested in ways to build  informed decision making capacity in the context of community controversy.

David is currently active with two national Cooperative Extension initiatives (National Extension Climate Initiative and Coming Together for Racial Understanding).  He volunteers as a moderator with Braver Angels’ efforts to address political polarization  and works closely with Mediators Beyond Borders’ Climate Policy Project and SDG Action Group. David has served on multiple advisory and governing boards of municipal and New York State not-for-profit and government organizations concerned with sustainability, conflict resolution, and municipal land use planning.