KELLY HEBER DUNNING
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CONTACT
address: 77 Mass Ave 9-319 Cambridge, MA 02138 I phone: 561-526-6729
email: k_heber1@mit.edu I website: www.kellyheber.com
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EDUCATION
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
CAMBRIDGE, MA 2016
PhD Environmental Policy and Planning
Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Advisor: Lawrence Susskind
Thesis: Institutions for collaborative resource management: a comparative analysis of coral reef
management in Indonesia and Malaysia
WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE
Guest student researcher
Marine Policy Center
Advisor: Porter Hoagland
WOODS HOLE, MA 2016
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
OXFORD, UK 2012
MSc Environmental Policy and Economics
School of Geography and Environment
Advisor: Paul Jepson and Marta Lang
Thesis: Issue Networks and Adaptive Management in the Florida Everglades
BA UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
GAINESVILLE, FL 2009
Department of Political Science Magna Cum Laude Honors
Department of English
GPA: 4.0
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
MIT ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PLANNING
DOCTORAL TEACHING ASSISTANT
Cambridge, MA 2013-2015
Quantitative Methods and Statistics (spring 2015, spring 2014, Code: 11.220)
Re-wrote and re-designed course in year two as case-based course. Authored two of six cases
(covering hypothesis testing using climate change economic data; and logistic regression, using
my own field data from coral reef communities). Lectured independently and taught review
questions in a 1-hour weekly breakout. Lead and managed lab session where students learned
to use Stata. Managed two junior TA’s, planned recitation schedule, coordinated meetings,
assigned tasks, and created weekly teaching materials for recitations. Authored and graded
homework. Mentored 10 students each year on final research paper where they analyzed a data
set they found. Tutored students in statistical computing and research design. Published my
teaching materials on my website.
Introduction to Environmental Policy and Planning (fall 2014, fall 2013, Code: 11.601)
Lectured on ecosystem services analysis. Edited, commented on, and graded written
assignments. Spearheaded new effort to give detailed and precise written comments.
Conducted academic writing tutoring. Facilitated daily student oral presentations. Collected and
compiled materials for the course website. Generated course syllabus under the direction of the
instructor. Organized and prepared reading materials for student use. Coordinated guest
speakers.
Malaysia Sustainable Cities Practicum (winter term 2015, winter term 2014, Code: 11.S947)
Co-lead one-month field research trip on Malaysian sustainability. Co-design syllabus and
specific assignments focusing on environmental management. Mentored, coordinated, and
supervised a sub-set of students researching shoreline planning, mangrove management, and
port development in Malaysia. Formulated research questions for students. Facilitated student
research by coordinating and monitoring interviews and data collection with local officials,
academics, and the Malaysian public. Guided their analysis and write up phases.
Participatory Action Research Methods (fall 2014, Number: 11.S944)
Collected and compiled materials for the course website. Generated the course syllabus under
the direction of the instructors. Organized and prepared reading materials for student use.
Ocean & Coastal Zone Management & Policy Working Group (spring 2015, Code: 11.S9X)
Leads and facilitates course and discussions. Developed the entire seminar on regional ocean
planning, marine spatial planning, integrated coastal zone management, and the tools and
methods used for such assessments. Developed syllabus and schedule, coordinated student
interest, organized departmental approval. Spearheaded an organized effort to offer this subject
in the department resolving a gap in the planning curriculum.
TEACH FOR AMERICA
SECONDARY PUBLIC SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER
Washington, D.C. 2009-2011
Selected as part of prestigious program to teach for two years as part of a national service
organization dedicated to improving the educational experience of low-income children in a
diverse community. Taught reading for special education students and honors reading and
language arts. Spearheaded the boys soccer athletic coaching program. Mentored and
instructed students in the fine arts after school (Ages 12-14).
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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
DOCTORAL RESEACH ASSISTANT
CAMBRIDGE, MA 2012-2016
MIT SCIENCE IMPACT COLLABORATIVE
Serves as co-editor of Malaysian Sustainable Cities journal, the publication associated with the
MIT Malaysia Sustainable Cities Program. Organized, planned, coordinated, and co-taught
course held every year in Malaysia during winter term. Managed two other TAs to coordinate
winter term class assignments and research. Researched, compiled and authored literature for
on the MIT Malaysia Sustainable Cities program website, application materials, and course.
Evaluated and critiqued research proposals and original papers from senior scholars in the
program. Conducted pilot research for the program on Malaysian mangrove management.
ECOSYSTM SERVICES ANALYST
WOODS HOLE, MA 2012-2016
WHOI NSF COASTAL SEES-FUNDED RESEARCH
Formulated research on the ecological impacts of dredging in New York and New Jersey Ports,
specifically on coastal wetlands. Systematically reviewed environmental impact assessments
and the science behind dredging and its ecological impacts. Assembled a database for coastal
wetland ecosystem service values. Built a GIS database of coastal environments in the Hudson
Estuary. Presented research midway at the Stanford NatCap Conference poster session on a
scholarship. Will co-author study where economic valuation data is integrated in a biophysical
model to assert the value of different dredging scenarios in the estuary.
COASTAL SETTLEMENT POLICY ANALYST
SUVA, FIJI 2013
MIT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP URBAN STUDIES
Developed original research on land use planning and mangrove management over one month
in Suva, Fiji utilizing a range of policy analysis tools to propose sustainable coastal development
policy to the Ministry of Housing Urban Development and Environment. Compiled qualitative
interview data as well as GIS data in order to perform a comparative socio-economic and spatial
analysis across several slums in Suva.
DATAGRID INC
SWEDEN & UGANDA 2008-2011
GEOSPATIAL & SOCIOECONOMIC DATA SPECIALIST
Designed best practices for social sensitization for stakeholder engagement around
controversial land management policy. Suggested culturally sensitive strategies in resource
management using qualitative data, GIS analysis, and analytics. Conducted field research over
four months in the field in Entebbe, Uganda and three months in Sweden. Co-wrote major grants
for the company in the ten million euro range.
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PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Published
Dunning, Kelly Heber. (2014) “Ecosystem Services and Community Based Coral Reef
Management Institutions in Post Blast Fishing Indonesia” Ecosystem Services.
Heber, Kelly. “Community-based Coral Reef Management” Oxford Journal of Human Welfare.
2013.
Heber, Kelly, Lukens-Bull, Ron, Paulson, Chuck. “Soft Power: A Student’s Reflections on Study
Abroad in Southeast Asia. National Collegiate Honors Press. 2008.
In Preparation
Heber, Kelly. “Collaborative Governance: Reef Management Institutions and Community
Participation” Target Journal: Society and Natural Resources
Heber, Kelly. “Adaptive management and implementation in the American Bureaucracy.” Target
Journal: Environmental Management.
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OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Book Reviews:
Heber, Kelly (2014) “Review: Ecological Restoration: Principles, Value, and Structure of an
Emerging Profession.” Anthem EnviroExperts Review.
Heber, Kelly. (2013) “Review: The Banana Tree at the Gates.” Anthem EnviroExperts Review.
Heber, Kelly. (2013) “Review: The Case of the Green Turtle: An Uncensored History of a
Conservation Icon.” Anthem EnviroExperts Review.
Heber, Kelly. (2013) “Review: Cold Cash Cool Climate Science Based Advice for
Entrepreneurs”. Anthem EnviroExperts Review.
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SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Association of European Schools of Planning Conference Grant ($1600)
2015
Stanford NatCap Program Scholarship ($300)
2014
U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship ($20,000)
2013
Carroll L. Wilson Fellowship ($7,000)
2013
MIT Presidential Fellowship ($45,000)
2012
MIT Departmental Grant, Tuition and Living fees ($120,000)
2012
Policy Environmental Governance Sustainability Fellowship ($2,700)
2012
SIGUS Fiji Research Scholarship ($6,000)
2012
Oxford University Clarendon Award (120,000 GBP, declined)
2012
Florida Bright Futures Award ($50,000)
2005-2009
Ming Honors Study Abroad Grant: SE Asia ($7,000)
2007
Honors Study Abroad Grant: France ($7000)
2006
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AWARDS
US Department of State Fisheries Hackathon Data Analysis Contest
2014
Best Paper US EPA Coastal NARS Data Contest ($2,000)
2014
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PRESENTATIONS
Stanford NatCap Annual Training (2014) “Ecosystem Services of the Hudson and Delaware
Estuaries.” (Contributed with scholarship)
United Nations Global Conference on Ocean Land Linkages (GLOC) (2014) “Ecosystem
Services of Indonesian Reefs” (accepted)
NOAA Social Coast Forum (2014) “Coral Reef Communities in the Indonesian Post Blast
Fishing Era” (accepted)
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REVIEWING
Ocean and Coastal Management (Elsevier)
Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)