Graham Diedrich
M.S. Data Science Candidate
Graham Diedrich, MPP
M.S. Data Science Candidate,
Michigan State University
Bibliography
Graham Diedrich is a graduate student at Michigan State University, pursuing a Master of Science (M.S.) in Data Science with focus on environmental policy and climate change. His research centers on sustainable resource governance, environmental justice, and clean energy systems. His current projects examine compatibility between forest property tax systems and voluntary carbon markets, the role of local government in advancing environmental justice, and sustainable development in the Great Lakes region.
Graham holds a B.A. in International Relations and a Master of Public Policy from MSU. He current works as a graduate researcher at the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program, in addition to the MSU Writing Center. He has also held a fellowship position at the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute. With a commitment to advancing environmental policy through community-centered approaches, Graham strives to contribute meaningfully to creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
Interests
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Resource governance
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Environmental justice
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Clean energy systems
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Local-global policy
Education
M.S., Data Science
Michigan State University
Master of Public Policy, 2023
Michigan State University
B.A., International Relations, 2019
Michigan State University
Certificate in College Teaching, 2023
Michigan State University
Recent Publications
Diedrich, G. (2023). Embodied Carbon Policies. MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program. East Lansing, MI.
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Diedrich, G. (2023). State Forest Certification. MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program. East Lansing, MI.
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Diedrich, G. (2023). State Cap-and-Trade Programs. MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program. East Lansing, MI.
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Diedrich, G. (2023). State-Level Forest BMPs. MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program. East Lansing, MI.
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Kreye, M., Clay, K., Chizmar, S., Cooper, L., Diedrich, G., Gadoth-Goodman, D., Parajuli, R., Sutton, A. (2023). Forest Carbon Market Structures and Mechanism. Forest Owner Carbon and Climate Education Program. East State College, PA.
Diedrich, G. (2023). Who’s Paying the Price? The Legacy of the Part 201 Program in Michigan. East Lansing, MI.
Halle, B., Diedrich, G., Lee, S. (2022). Willingness to Pay for Renewable Energy in East Lansing. East Lansing, MI.
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Diedrich, G. (2022). An Impact Evaluation Proposal: Oregon’s ‘Cap-and-Trade’ Climate Protection Program. MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program. East Lansing, MI.
Diedrich, G. (2022). How will the Inflation Reduction Act impact forest and carbon management? MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program. East Lansing, MI.
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Diedrich, G. (2022). How will the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act impact forests and climate? MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program. East Lansing, MI.
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Diedrich, G. (2022). Carbon Pricing: Carbon Markets and Carbon Taxes. MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program. East Lansing, MI.
Projects
State-Level Forest and Forest Product Carbon Modeling
We developed a variety of target goals and management scenarios incorporating forest sector activities and climate simulations to explore the role forests and their associated harvest wood products have in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Partners: American Forests, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, Canadian Forest Service, U.S. Climate Alliance
Status: Ongoing
Optimizing Brownfield Solar Redevelopment in Michigan
Creating an interactive dashboard allowing developers to weight key variables influencing solar siting on brownfields, including zoning ordinances, distance to energy infrastructure, and site characteristics.
Partner: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Status: Ongoing
Forests as a Climate Solution: State Policy Tracking Initiative
Collecting, categorizing, analyzing, and tracking a range of state-level programs and policies that could contribute or detract from forests as a climate solution.
Partner: Environmental Defense Fund
Status: Ongoing
Forest Property Tax Programs
and Carbon Project Compatibility
Assessing the compatibility between state forest preferential tax programs and enrollment in voluntary carbon markets. Focusing on timber harvest requirements.
Status: Ongoing
Sustainable Development in the Great Lakes Region: Assessing State Alignment with the SDGs
Analyzing state climate plan alignment with the SDGs, investigating impacts on key environmental and socio-economic indicators through comprehensive research to foster informed policy decisions.
Status: Ongoing
Harnessing the Power of Greenhouse Gas Inventories for Local Climate Action
Developing inventories with the local governments of Grand Haven, MI and Rockford, MI to aid the creation of future sustainability plans.
Partner: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Status: Complete
Conferences
2022 Michigan State University Environmental Science and Policy Program Fall Research Symposium | October 16, 2022
The annual ESPP Fall Research Symposium aims to connect ideas and researchers from multiple disciplines to identify and solve challenges at the interface of environmental science and policy. Learn more here.
Presentation: Forests as a Climate Solution: State Policy Tracking Initiative
2023 Michigan Environmental Justice Conference | June 21, 2023
The goal of this two-day, in-person conference was to convene conversations, explore actions, present research and continue progress toward achieving environmental justice in Michigan. Learn more here.
Presentation: Advancing Environmental Justice in Local Government: A Path Towards Justice and Effective Policymaking
2023 Engagement Scholarship Consortium International Conference | October 4-5, 2023
The focus of this conference was to engage in conversations about the many ways to work collaboratively toward meaningful change, within university and societal contexts. Learn more here.
Presentation: Building Resilient Communities: The Intersection of Climate Change, Local Governance, and Environmental Justice
2023 Michigan Political Science Association Conference | October 20, 2023
The annual MIPSA conference engages with topics of interest in all areas of political science, as well as public administration and public policy. Learn more here.
Presentation: Who’s Paying the Price? The Legacy of the Part 201 Program in Michigan
2023 Michigan State University Environmental Science and Policy Program Fall Research Symposium | October 27, 2023
The annual ESPP Fall Research Symposium aims to connect ideas and researchers from multiple disciplines to identify and solve challenges at the interface of environmental science and policy. Learn more here.
Presentation: Assessing the Interplay between State Climate Plans and the SDGs: A Case Study in the Great Lakes Region
Teaching
Courses Assisted:
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PLS 422: Seminar in Political Science
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PLS 494 Field Experience in Political Science
Certificate in College Teaching:
The University Graduate Certification in College Teaching (CCT), an initiative of the Michigan State University Graduate School in partnership with MSU colleges, helps graduate students and postdocs organize, develop, and document their teaching experiences. Through professional development activities—workshops or seminars, coursework in disciplinary teaching methods, a mentored teaching project—participants will build and consolidate their preparation for college and university teaching.
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Click here to view my e-portfolio.