Erik is a Researcher based in Silver Spring, Maryland and works to assess the efficacy and impact of ACE’s education programs and campaign initiatives. Before joining ACE, he did strategic campaign research at Greenpeace about the environmental impacts of digital technologies, and investigated how corporate interests and big finance support new fossil fuel lifelines. 

Prior to working in the environmental movement, Erik was a sociology professor at TCU in Fort Worth, Texas where his teaching and research explored relationships between labor and the environment, just transitions, and social inequality and social change. He has also taught courses on environmental justice and sustainability in the environmental studies departments at Davidson College and Macalester College. His book, Mining the Heartland: Nature, Place, and Populism on the Iron Range, explores the cultural struggles and political conflicts over mining development and wilderness conservation. He earned his PhD in sociology from University of Minnesota, Masters in sociology from American University, and Bachelor’s in politics from Oberlin College. 

Erik spends his time outside of work playing with his two young children and taking them on adventures along with his partner and energetic black lab mix. He enjoys running, biking, and hiking, and exploring restaurants, parks, and museums around the DC metro area as well as relaxing by cooking and reading books.