About Us

Our Approach

Our Approach

Anam Circle is an ecoregional network of public policy fellows and analysts who collaboratively conduct social-ecological research, perform analysis, develop models and tools, and generate policy briefs and reports that address many of today's most critical issues.

Policy fellows are experienced thought leaders with advanced degrees who work with trained undergraduate and graduate student policy analysts on specific public policy projects.

Meet the Team

Public Policy Fellows

Our public policy fellows are experts in their fields who share decades of experience among them. Our public policy fellows guide Anam Circle's thought leadership and solidify our ties to the New York capital region.

Riobart Breen

Specializations:  Environmental and Natural Resources Policy, Watershed Planning and Governance, Human Dimensions, Behavioral Insights, Systems Thinking, Futures, Scenario Planning, Simulations, and Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

Jeff Zappieri

Specializations:  Environmental Policy, Ecological Science, Coastal Management and Policy,  Environmental Analysis, Sustainable Agriculture, Community Infrastructure, Project Analysis, and Management

Analysts

Our analysts provide meaningful insights into the issues that matter most to our local community. Our analysts come from diverse backgrounds and supply their unique expertise in contributing to well-grounded thought leadership.

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Specializations:  Environmental and Natural Resources Field Research, Wildlife Biology, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology, Forest Products, GIS 

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Specializations:  Economic Analysis, Public Policy Analysis, Comparative International Development, Data Analysis, ESG, and Climate Change Policy

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Specializations:  Public Policy Analysis, Public Administration, Government Budget Analysis, Stakeholder Analysis, Environmental and Public Health Policy, Statistics, GIS  

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Specializations: Community Engagement and Outreach, Public Policy Analysis, Sustainable
Agriculture, Community Development

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Specializations:  Marketing, Strategic Communication, Urban Sustainability, Coastal Resilience Strategies, and Marine Ecosystem Management

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Specializations: Economic Analysis, Business Administration, Government Finance and Budgeting, Statistics

What we do

Anam Circle is an interdisciplinary, community-based ecosocial think tank and innovation lab that provides policy analysis and research for community groups and local governments in the Greater Capital District of New York.  We provide thought leadership, policy analysis, applied problem solving, policy innovations, community assessments, research, strategic planning, future scenario planning, tabletop exercises, and community education to advance sustainability and resilience in local urban, rural and coastal communities.

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Anam Circle’s work can be used to guide important and timely sustainability, environmental, and resilience policy decisions and to make better evidence-based decisions. We specialize in systems analysis, systemic change, nonlinear “wicked problems”, and behavior-based human dimensions (attitudes, norms, frames, narratives, and behaviors).

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We work collaboratively in small teams to (1) generate public policy reports based on the findings of our research and analysis; (2) assist the community to draft policy and planning documents to address ecosocial problems; (3) host town hall meetings to inform local elected officials, community leaders, and residents, including youth, about the issues;  and (4) help the community write grants for projects.

How we work

Anam Circle engages talented and capable college students and graduate students as analysts and junior analysts to work collaboratively with experienced public policy fellows to examine the ecological, social, economic, and governance dimensions of current and future public policies.  Anam Circle analysts and fellows are trained in advanced public policy analysis, research skills, report writing, and public presentations.

Looking for a new challenge?

If you are an undergraduate student or graduate student interested in becoming a public policy analyst with the Anam Circle public policy fellows, please take a look at the position description and contact us.