Samantha Sinclair

Samantha Sinclair is a Research Support Specialist at Cornell AAP, where she advances interdisciplinary research across sustainability, climate policy, and the built environment. Sinclair joined Cornell following the completion of two master’s degrees: an M.A. in Climate & Society from Columbia University and an M.A. in Sustainable Development from the University of St Andrews. Her previous research has integrated qualitative and quantitative methods, including a 10,000-word thesis on sustainability in the demolition industry and a published contribution to Radical Urban Lab examining urban change and gentrification in Edinburgh. Her professional experience at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection saw her develop GIS analyses of material flows, build databases of environmental product declarations to support low-carbon procurement, and contribute to green infrastructure planning. Raised in the Scottish Highlands by a demolition engineer, Sinclair brings a unique lifecycle perspective to her work with a strong commitment to connecting research and practice with real-world environmental challenges. Her present work focuses on translating research into action — bridging analysis, design, and implementation to support more resilient and materially informed urban systems.