Professor Jill Harrison
Associate Professor of Sociology
University of Colorado Boulder
Oct 1, 2021
GUGG 6, 3:30 PM
Abstract:
In this presentation, Harrison will present key findings from her book,听From the Inside Out,听whichlifts the veil on the U.S. Environmental Protection听Agency and other environmental regulatory agencies to offer new insights into听why they fail to reduce harmful toxics and other hazards in our nation鈥檚 most听environmentally overburdened and vulnerable communities. It examines the听disappointing pace of environmental regulatory agencies鈥� 鈥渆nvironmental justice鈥澨�(EJ) programs and policies as a case through which to understand why, despite听reducing air and water pollution for the nation overall, government has not听protected the communities who suffer themost. Other scholars have shown that听budget cuts, industry pressure, and other factors outside the control of agency听staff constrain the possibilities for EJ reforms to regulatory practice. This book听shows that agencies鈥� EJ efforts are also undermined by elements of听regulatory workplace culture. Through extensive interviews with and observations of staff at numerous environmental regulatory agencies across the United States, Harrison shows that agencies鈥� EJ efforts are undermined by everyday ways in听which well-meaning staff dedicated to environmental regulation reject EJ reforms听as violating what they think their organization does and should do. A rare glimpse inside environmental regulatory agencies, these findings help explain the听shortcomings of environmental regulation and policy implementation today. It听also shows how agencies鈥� EJ staff 鈥� those tasked with developing EJ reforms 鈥撎齟ndeavor to change both regulatory practice and regulatory culture from听the inside out.