Christopher Jadallah, assistant professor of environmental justice in education at the School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA, has been honored as a recipient of the Award for Excellence by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).
Jadallah was recognized with NAEE’s Emerging Research Leader Award for his work to advance the field of environmental education and contributing to improved practice, policy and outcomes. The award is given annually in recognition of emerging scholars and professionals who demonstrate excellence in research design, innovation, and the application of research to support environmental literacy, stewardship, and informed decision-making.
“I am very humbled and grateful to be recognized by the North American Association for Environmental Education,” said Jadallah. “It is a wonderful global community of scholars and practitioners doing important work to further environmental education and build understanding of its impact and importance. I have been fortunate to be a member of NAAEE for many years. There are many people who I look up to who are part of the organization. They have poured a lot into me and it means a lot to be recognized by my colleagues and mentors.”
At UCLA, Jadallah’s research examines the social, political, and relational dimensions of teaching and learning with youth and communities as they participate in land-based and community-based endeavors. Working in collaboration with practitioners who have historically been marginalized in science and environmental education, he has challenged assumptions about what environmental and climate education can and should be, who it should be for, and the role these fields can play in education and environmental policy and practice.
Jadallah’s work at UCLA includes the development of research-practice partnerships with a wide-range of collaborators to jointly co-design, implement, and study learning environments that expand engagement in science and environmental education and honor the knowledge and practices of diverse communities. Using innovative, place-based methods, his recent projects range from analysis of pandemic-era watershed workshops to interviews with garden educators about their social and political commitments in Los Angeles community gardens. Jadallah is also affiliated with the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and the Center for Community Engagement at UCLA.
Jadallah is one of 11 leaders recognized this year by NAEE for notable contributions to the field of environmental education. The awards honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the field of environmental education and to creating more just and sustainable communities around the world. This year’s awardees were recognized and honored at the NAAEE 2026 Conference and Research Symposium in Portland, Oregon in early October.
“We are proud to highlight these extraordinary individuals and organizations whose vision, leadership, and dedication are driving transformative change in communities and the field of environmental education,” said Judy Braus, executive director of NAAEE in announcing the awards. “Their work inspires us to continue striving for a healthier and more just planet and a bright future for generations to come.”