Ward Lyles

About Ward Lyles

My research and teaching interests center on the intersection of people, the built environment, and the natural environment. I currently work on projects related to reducing long-term risks from climate change and natural hazards, advancing a just green energy transition, and land justice in the United States.

Areas of Expertise

Anti-racism Planning, Environmental Planning and Resource Management, Land Use Planning and Governance

Selected Publications

• Is Time on Our Side? A Longitudinal Analysis of the Quality of Mandated Plans, W Lyles, Y Wu, K Overstreet, E Sutley.
• Journal of Planning Education and Research, 0739456X231197182, Who cares? Arnstein’s ladder, the emotional paradox of public engagement, and (re) imagining planning as caring, W Lyles, S Swearingen White.
• Journal of the American Planning Association 85 (3), 287-300, Caring as Class: Resolving the Emotional Paradox of Climate Change Education.” Journal of Sustainability Education. W Lyles, K Overstreet.
• Journal of sustainability education, Is Time on Our Side? A Longitudinal Analysis of the Quality of Mandated Plans, W Lyles, Y Wu, K Overstreet, E Sutley
• Journal of Planning Education and Research, 0739456X231197182

Recent Courses Taught

• Foundations of Compassionate Critical Thinking (Graduate; since 2013)
• Planning the Sustainable City (Undergraduate; since 2014)
• Planning for Climate Change and Natural Hazards (Undergraduate/Graduate; since 2014)
• Indigenous Resilience: Pasts, Presents, and Future(s) w/ Dr. Alex Red Corn (Undergraduate; 2025-->)