Overview
Over the past several weeks, student researchers from Trinity College and Capital Community College have collaborated with the Center for Leadership and Justice (CLJ) and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center to support our environmental justice project. Student researchers conducted oral history interviews, led and participated in photo voice discussions, and explored the impacts of the MIRA Incinerator on Hartford residents. This was guided by our project instructors, two of whom are professors and one of whom is a representative of our community partner. All project instructors provided critical support, mentorship, and expertise throughout the process.
Project Instructors
Sarah McCoy
Sarah is a community organizer and grant writer for the Center for Leadership and Justice. She is passionate about Hartford and engaging community members to take an active role in demanding change. In addition to her work at CLJ, Sarah also owns Story and Soil Coffee, and has served the region in various educational, entrepreneurial, and artistic roles. She has a B.A. in journalism from Temple University and a M.S. in school counseling from UMass Boston.
Derin Ozlem Atalay
Derin holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Liberal Arts Action Lab before joining the faculty at Trinity College. Their research explores queer spaces and LGBTQ involvement in local decision-making, with publications in journals such as Journal of Lesbian Studies and Geography Research Forum. At the Action Lab, they collaborate with community partners, students, and faculty on impactful, community-based projects that inform both their teaching and research. They earned their master’s and bachelor’s degrees in urban planning from the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and Istanbul Technical University.
Abigail Fisher Williamson
Abigail Fisher Williamson is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy & Law at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. A scholar of migration, urban politics, and civic engagement, she is the author of Welcoming New Americans? Local Governments and Immigrant Incorporation (University of Chicago Press, 2018), as well as an edited volume and several peer-reviewed journal articles. Her research has received funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Ruth Landes Memorial Fund, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Most recently, she is co-leading a Mellon-funded project examining urban environmental justice in partnership with Hartford’s Center for Leadership and Justice and the Stowe Center for Literary Activism. She served as Director for Trinity’s Center for Hartford Engagement and Research from 2020-2024, and began her academic career as a Research Associate and then Associate Director of the Saguaro Seminar for Civic Engagement at Harvard’s Kennedy School. She holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard and a BA from Williams College.
Student Researchers
Scarlett Jago
Hello, my name is Scarlett Jago, and I am a sophomore environmental science major and creative writing major from Allentown, PA. I am a part of the Trinity Women’s Volleyball team as well as the coach for the Club Volleyball team. I am also the acting sustainability representative for the volleyball team. I decided to join the Environmental Justice Project because I am passionate about learning how climate and environmental issues affect communities and the actions people take to fight against injustice.
Avery Sands
Hi, everyone! My name is Avery Sands, and I’m a junior at Trinity College, majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Legal Studies. On campus, I work as an undergraduate research assistant studying mercury concentrations in urban ponds. I also serve as a student representative on the Sustainability Committee. I decided to join the Action Lab to contribute to environmental justice advocacy work in Hartford and to understand the environmental and social impacts of the MIRA incinerator.
Jay Pickering
My name is Jay Pickering, and I am from Worcester, MA. I am a senior at Trinity College studying public policy & law, with a concentration in environmental policy. I am interested in pursuing a legal career after graduating and have appreciated the environmental justice work that this project has given me experience with. Working with our community partners at the Center for Leadership and Justice and the Stowe Center for Literary Activism has provided valuable insight into environmental racism and environmental justice affecting local communities.
Ariana Alonso Flores
Hi! I’m a third-year student from Queens, NY, studying biochemistry and public policy & law at Trinity College. Given my interest in the intersectionality of healthcare and policy/law, researching the environmental health impacts and creating local advocacy around the topic through our LAAL project was both interesting and important to me!
Jackson Rafferty
Hello! My name is Jackson Rafferty. I am from Southington, CT, and I’m currently attending Capital Community College as a history major. I plan on matriculating to a four-year university after earning my Associate’s degree and ultimately pursuing degrees in both history and anthropology. I am involved in a number of community outreach organizations across Hartford County and joined the Action Lab project to further my efforts and expand into environmental justice work.
Breanna Pitta
Hello! My name is Breanna, and I am a sophomore at Trinity College. I am pursuing a double-major in Environmental Science and Public Policy and Law, with a minor in Community Action. I am the Captain of the Women’s Club Soccer team and President of JELLO, a community service club on campus. I am passionate about environmental justice and policy, and would like to utilize my education to help bring environmental equity to Hartford!
Hadas Ali
Hey! My name is Hadas Ali, and I am a freshman at Trinity College, from Philly. I am majoring in Public Policy and Law, with a minor in African American studies. On campus, I am a freshman representative for Trinity’s Black Student Union, a Student Recruitment Ambassador for admissions, a member of the Pre-law society, and a policy representative for Students Against Mass Incarceration. I joined the Environmental Justice Project because, as someone from the city, I have firsthand experience with environmental racism. I saw this project as an opportunity to deepen my understanding and explore solutions to address this issue.
Julia Clark
Hello! My name is Julia Clark. I am originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, and am currently a freshman at Trinity College. I am majoring in History and double minoring in Legal Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies. On campus, I am a member of the Women’s Tennis team and the Pre-Law Society. My interest in the legal field and community action initiatives compelled me to participate in the Hartford environmental justice project.
Jenissa Cortes
Hi, I am Jenissa Cortes, from Chicago, Illinois. I am a senior at Trinity College majoring in American Studies with a Community Action Minor. On campus, I am a member of the Elemental Dance team and the Trinity College Gospel Choir. I joined this research team to expand my knowledge of environmental racism and get involved in local activism.