Research for equitable water and rural futures
I study how public institutions can use policy, community knowledge, and responsibly applied AI to make water and other essential services more affordable, accessible, and health-protective in urban, rural, and historically underserved communities.
I am Kayleigh Ward, an environmental sociologist and community-engaged researcher. Through the H2OPE Project and collaborations with communities and nonprofit partners, I combine environmental sociology with policy analysis, GIS, and environmental data science to produce actionable research, public-facing tools, and locally grounded solutions.
My current work focuses on water affordability and utility governance, such as alternatives to shutoffs, as well as rural policy, public health, and the responsible use of AI and data tools for the public good.
Current roles and affiliations
Faculty Developer & Lecturer
Department of Public Health and Health Sciences, Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute (SSEHRI), Northeastern University
Research Faculty/Postdoc
Environmental Data Science Innovation & Impact Lab (ESIIL), Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder
Advisory Board Member
National Center for Frontier Communities (NCFC)
Education
Dual PhD in Sociology and Environmental Science and Policy
Michigan State University
The nexus of my work
Environmental justice
Examining who bears environmental and public-health burdens, whose knowledge informs policy, and how institutions can produce more equitable outcomes.
Water justice
Researching affordability, accessibility, customer-assistance programs, and the policies that determine whether people can maintain essential water service.
Rural and frontier policy
Supporting institutional capacity, infrastructure, public health, and community well-being in rural, remote, and frontier places that are often overlooked in national policy.
AI and environmental data
Developing responsible, transparent, and accessible data tools that support—rather than replace—community knowledge and public decision-making.
The H2OPE Project
H2OPE is a student-engaged research initiative located at the intersection of equity, AI, public health, and climate. Current projects examine water-affordability policies, customer-assistance programs, utility governance, alternatives to shutoffs, and the ways organizational values shape access to water.
226 water utilities
A national comparative analysis of affordability and customer-assistance policies.
Policy innovation
Research on billing practices, assistance programs, and health-protective alternatives to service shutoffs.
Public-facing tools
A utility scorecard, affordability dashboard, research scripts, and practical policy guidance in development.
Associated certifications
- MSU onGEO Professional GIS Certificate, Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences
- MSU Graduate Certification in Community Engagement, University Outreach and Engagement
- CU Boulder Earth Data Analytics – Foundations Professional Certificate, Department of Geography
Kayleigh Ward 