Dominic J. Bednar is a candidate for the Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainability with a concentration in Energy Justice at the University of Michigan. His research explores the institutional barriers of energy poverty recognition and response in the United States whilst considering the spatial, racial/ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic patterns of residential energy affordability, consumption, and efficiency.

His doctoral research aims to provide clarity for structuring more effective policy interventions and to improve decision making for assisting energy-vulnerable households, those likely to fall into energy poverty and struggle or be unable to pay their energy bills, resulting in energy utility shut-offs and forgoing basic necessities.

Dominic is developing a multidimensional energy vulnerability index to better understand factors that contribute to household energy poverty in the U.S. His published master’s thesis identified spatial, racial/ethnic, and economic disparities of residential energy affordability and efficiency in Detroit, Michigan. Dominic has been recognized as a Fulbright Scholar, Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow, Rackham Merit Fellow, GEM Fellow, and Forbes Under 30 Scholar. He is a co-founder of People of the Global Majority for the Environment (PGMEnt) and an inaugural member of U-M’s Graduate/Professional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Advisory Board. He is also the co-founder of Black in Environment Week.

Dominic is committed to fighting climate change through the integration of academic research on residential energy injustices in a way that engenders community engagement and co-development of impactful solutions. He helps elevate community knowledge and experiences through his teaching and research. His passion for environmental justice and community-engaged pedagogy guide his writing, teaching, and community-based learning consultancy.