Meredith Grady
She/Her
I am lesbian and I am a conservation researcher and practitioner focused on inclusive, community-based conservation.//
I’m a conservation researcher and practitioner focused on inclusive, community-based conservation. With experiences from rural Kenya to federal research labs, I’ve worked to amplify marginalized voices and challenge conventional approaches to environmental problem-solving. I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Biology and Society at Arizona State University, where I’m studying how conservation approaches can better center historically marginalized communities and support long-term local leadership in environmental stewardship.
Growing up as a lesbian in a rural, conservative community taught me early on what it means to navigate spaces where your identity isn’t immediately welcomed or understood. That experience of being on the margins—and eventually finding acceptance and belonging—profoundly shaped my commitment to amplifying voices that have been historically excluded from decision-making spaces. It’s why I’m drawn to work that challenges power structures and centers communities who have been pushed to the sidelines, whether that’s in conservation, academia, or beyond. My personal journey from feeling like an outsider to finding my place has made me passionate about creating more inclusive, equitable spaces where everyone’s knowledge and perspective is valued.