Dana E. Powell

About the Author

Dana E. Powell is an anthropologist and environmental scholar whose work explores the intersections of energy politics, indigenous sovereignty, and ecological change in the American Southwest. With a focus on the Navajo Nation, she examines how landscapes are shaped by competing visions of power, resource extraction, and cultural resilience. Powell's research draws on ethnographic methods to illuminate the human stories behind large-scale environmental transformations, advocating for more equitable approaches to energy transitions in the twenty-first century. Her insightful analyses bridge academic inquiry with broader public conversations on sustainability and justice, making complex socio-ecological dynamics accessible to a wide audience. As an associate professor at Appalachian State University, she continues to influence discussions on global ecologies through her teaching and writing.