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Graham Diedrich, MPP

M.S. Data Science Candidate,

Michigan State University

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Biography

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.

Graham holds a B.A. in International Relations and a Master of Public Policy from MSU. He is a 2024 U.S. Fulbright recipient and has research appointments with the Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Department of Energy, and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program.

In addition to his research, Graham is a graduate fellow with the Bailey Scholars Program, a learning community where each student, graduate, and faculty fellow design their own learning journey and achieve whole person development. He also coordinates undergraduate engagement and provides consultations at the MSU Writing Center. 

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

  • Resource governance

  • Environmental and energy justice 

  • Social-environmental modeling

  • Community engagement

  • Science communication

Education

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M.S., Data Science, 2025
Michigan State University

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Certificate in Environmental and Social Systems Modeling, 2025
Michigan State University

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Certificate in Community Engagement, 2025
Michigan State University

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Master of Public Policy, 2023
Michigan State University

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Certificate in College Teaching, 2023
Michigan State University

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B.A., International Relations, 2019
Michigan State University

Recent Experience

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Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellow

Office for Coastal Management

U.S. Department of Commerce

Fellows address reserve management needs to help scientists and communities understand coastal challenges that may influence future policy strategies.

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Environmental Justice Fellow

Center for Environmental Justice

Smithsonian Institution

With this prestigious award, fellows conduct independent research into advanced environmental justice and community engaged topics.

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DOE Scholars Fellow

Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations

U.S. Department of Energy

The DOE Scholars Program is designed to create a pipeline of highly qualified talent in disciplinary fields that support mission critical areas of the DOE.

For cumulative research experiences, please click here.


Publications

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Diedrich, G. (2024). Evaluating local climate policy: Municipal action plans through the lens of resilience and environmental justice. PLOS Climate 3 (1): e0000395. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000395.

 

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

Sea Bay

Navigable Waters? Evaluating Information Flow and Prioritization in Coastal Resilience Policymaking

Investigating how adaptive systems and linkages between the national reserve system and government shape coastal resilience efforts through information flow and prioritization. Learn more here.

Partner: Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

Status: Ongoing

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Shining Insights: Assessing the Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact of Photovoltaics Among Underserved Agricultural Communities in Virginia

This research aims to explore the intricate relationship between photovoltaic (PV) expansion, its effects on land use and biodiversity, and potential economic benefits to underserved farming communities. Learn more here.

Partner: Virginia Working Landscapes, Smithsonian Institution

Status: Ongoing

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Impact of Renewable Energy Restrictions on Michigan's Solar and Wind Capacity for Carbon Neutrality

Analyzing the impact of renewable energy restrictions on Michigan's capacity to produce the necessary amounts of solar and wind power needed to meet 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.

Partner: Michigan State University Environmental Science and Policy Program

Status: Ongoing

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State-Level Forest and Forest Product Carbon Modeling

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. Learn more here.

Partners: American Forests, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, Canadian Forest Service, U.S. Climate Alliance
Status: Complete

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. Learn more here.

Partner: Environmental Defense Fund
Status: Complete

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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: Complete

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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: Complete

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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. Learn more here.

Partner: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Status: Complete

Conferences

2024 Michigan State University Environmental Science and Policy Program Fall Research Symposium | October 11, 2024

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: The Race for Renewables: Modeling Renewable Energy Productivity Amid Local Siting Restrictions in Michigan

5th International European Social Survey Conference | June 8-10, 2024

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Europe faces challenges like climate change, war in Ukraine, immigration and integration, the rising cost of living, and more. The purpose of this conference is to discuss these issues by illuminating European attitudes and the social condition, across and within countries, and over time. Learn more here.

Poster: Charting Climate Confidence through Institutional Trust in European Governments

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

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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

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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

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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

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

Teaching

Co-Facilitated Courses:

  • ANR 210: Foundations in Connected Learning

  • ANR 310: Integrated Learning Seminar I

TA Courses:

  • PLS 422: Seminar in Political Science

  • 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 the e-portfolio.

News

Department of Political Science, Michigan State University | August 26, 2024

"Two Public Policy majors are among the 10 MSU students offered Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for the 2024-2025 academic year. Graham Diedrich will be using his award to travel to Greece and Bulgaria. He was a double major in Data Science and Public Policy who completed his Master of Public Policy degree in 2023."

Environmental Science and Policy Program, Michigan State University | June 1, 2024

"Congratulations to Graham Diedrich for being award the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship from NOAA's Office for Coastal Management.  He is the third cohort of Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellows!"

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy | September 11, 2023

"Nine students devoted 10 weeks to the Catalyst Leadership Circle Fellowship, funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and administered by the University of Michigan’s Graham Sustainability Institute in collaboration with Michigan Green Communities."

School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan | April 21, 2023

"Graham Diedrich is pursuing an MPP at Michigan State University (MSU) with experience in research design, policy analysis and data management. Alongside Fresh Coast Climate Solutions, he will help Grand Haven and Rockford establish a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction plan by assembling a municipal operations inventory using a variety of resources"

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