Chad Monfreda is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology at Arizona State University's Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes (CSPO). His work in the field of science and technology studies (STS) looks at the connections between science and democracy, with a focus on international expert institutions that produce, validate, and contest knowledge about the global environment. Prior to arriving in the Arizona desert, Chad completed an M.S. mapping global land use at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In addition to wearing these academic hats, he enjoys penning the occasional sustainability-themed freelance piece and has worked in the non-profit world calculating ecological footprints for Redefining Progress and the Global Footprint Network.