301:, together with Christian Iaione, she explored the potential of the commons as a framework for addressing resource challenges faced by cities, including climate change, and presented a new governance model, "urban collaborative governance," aimed at managing city resources as commons and addressing questions of political, social, and economic inequality in cities. She also led a research team to survey and map over 500 collectively managed urban commons worldwide, resulting in a set of design principles applicable to governing various urban resources. Her theoretical and empirical research on the "Co-City" framework and the concept of the city as a commons, with Christian Iaione, culminated in a book titled
314:
for nation-states. In a joint study, she expressed doubt that cities can influence global policymaking. However, it was argued that cities have gained more "soft power" and can address crises through international agreements, where nation-states have failed. Expanding on this subject, along with
Chrystie Swiney, she argued that cities are creating a type of transnational law through legal or quasi-legal agreements outside the bounds of international law. Such agreements often resemble international legal agreements, such as those for migration or climate change, but without enforcement mechanisms.
305:, which won the 2023 Prose Award in Architecture and Urban Planning. As part of her research on the commons, she and her co-authors critically engaged with scholarship on the role of inequality in accessing resources. They explored the processes of commoning or decommoning via "grabbed commons," linking it to colonization and capitalist dispossessions to broaden the theoretical and empirical scope of commons scholarship.
243:(NPCC) since her appointment in 2016. She co-directs LabGov.city, an applied research project focusing on innovative forms of urban governance in cities and metropolitan regions. The "Co-City" approach is set out in her book with LabGov co-director Christian Iaione, Co-Cities: Innovative Transitions toward Just and Self-Sustaining Communities.
313:
As former chair of the advisory board for the Global
Parliament of Mayors (2017-2020), Foster researched the role of city networks in global governance institutions. This includes examining their efforts to shape policies on cross-border issues like migration and climate change traditionally reserved
296:
Foster's work in environmental led her to focus on the concept of the "urban commons" in her research. In an article, she highlighted the lack of attention given to collective action in urban contexts despite extensive literature on self-organized natural resource management. She examined how groups
322:
Another area in her work includes local climate governance and energy democracy. This work focuses on cities' role in tackling climate change despite restraints from states and private entities. In a book chapter, she laid out the legal and policy landscape for understanding cities' roles in climate
227:
in 2002, and held an appointment as the Albert A. Walsh
Professor of Real Estate, Land Use and Property Law and a University Professor until 2017. From 2017 to 2023, Foster was the Scott K. Ginsburg Professor of Urban Law and Policy, and held holds a joint position as a professor of Public Policy at
287:
Foster's research has explored three key areas centered around the theme of urban governance. This work has specifically focused on the role of cities in promoting social and economic well-being, improving global governance, and addressing issues related to climate inequality. She has written on
267:
During her early career, Foster focused on environmental justice research and authored numerous publications that critically examined environmental policy from the perspectives of distributive and procedural justice. Her work incorporated the experiences and historical context of overburdened
235:
At
Fordham University, she served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2008 to 2011 and as Vice Dean from 2011 to 2014. She was appointed as the (Inaugural) Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Law) from 2021 to 2022 at Georgetown University.
1118:
Foster, Sheila; Leichenko, Robin; Nguyen, Khai Hoan; Blake, Reginald; Kunreuther, Howard; Madajewicz, Malgosia; Petkova, Elisaveta P.; Zimmerman, Rae; Corbin-Mark, Cecil; Yeampierre, Elizabeth; Tovar, Angela; Herrera, Cynthia; Ravenborg, Daron (March 7, 2019).
272:, she employed social, economic, and legal analysis to expose the root causes of environmental racism, while highlighting the transformative power of environmental justice movements on individuals, communities, institutions, and the nation.
268:
communities to develop a conception of justice. She used her analysis to identify why certain legal remedies, such as some civil rights claims and regulatory approaches, have failed to benefit these communities. In
210:
Foster began her academic career at the
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, where she served as a Lecturer and Coordinator of Academic Support from 1990 to 1994. She then went on to teach at
288:
decentralized forms of governance in cities and the role of cities in global governance, as well as innovative approaches in which cities are shaping climate change policy and fostering energy democracy.
279:
provided an in-depth analysis of the origins of environmental justice law and its influence on projects throughout the United States, encompassing evolving regulations and significant court rulings.
297:
of users manage common urban resources without government involvement, tracking the shift to an enabling governance model where governments support communities managing collective resources. In
259:. She has also been recognized for her contributions to the field with awards including the Georgetown Earth Commons Institute Eco Impact Award and the Georgetown Environmental Initiative Award.
1198:
1218:
1213:
162:
School of
Architecture and Planning and received the Senior Scholar Award by International Academy of Environmental Law. She is the co-author of four books, including
424:
Foster, S. (1998). Justice from the ground up: Distributive inequities, grassroots resistance, and the transformative politics of the environmental justice movement.
919:
239:
From 2017 to 2020, she was the chair of the advisory committee for the Global
Parliament of Mayors and has been a co-chair of the ongoing Equity Work Group of the
275:
The book is regarded as one of the foundational and most essential books to read on environmental and climate justice by a number of sources. Further, her book,
509:
793:"Justice from the Ground Up: Distributive Inequities, Grassroots Resistance, and the Transformative Politics of the Environmental Justice Movement"
470:
1203:
1080:
752:
240:
528:"SALPAL and SLoGLaw Host Conversation on Foot Voting and Mobility in the Context of International Migration, Federalism, and Housing Policy"
323:
mitigation and adaptation, offering examples and discussing problems with state preemption. As the co-chair of NPCC, she led the chapter on
832:"Review of Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster, From the Ground Up: Environmental Racism and the Rise of the Environmental Justice Movement"
199:
87:
47:
358:
2024 – Elected to the
American College of Environmental Lawyers for substantial contributions to the field of environmental law.
212:
331:
analyses and adaptation planning efforts, including tracking specific indicators of neighborhood vulnerability over time.
328:
255:, innovative resource governance regimes, and the role of subnational governments in tackling cross-border issues like
1168:
1121:"New York City Panel on Climate Change 2019 Report Chapter 6: Community-Based Assessments of Adaptation and Equity"
1068:
882:
742:
704:
634:
616:
228:
the McCourt Public Policy School at
Georgetown University. Foster served as visiting professor of climate at the
849:
863:
174:
blog, which focuses on developments in state and local government law, and is a
Founding Board Member of the
831:
229:
132:
1208:
341:
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159:
143:
355:
2023 – Prose Award Winner in Architecture and Urban Planning, Association of American Publishers (AAP)
1132:
1025:
687:
666:
102:
920:"Professor Sheila Foster's New Book, 'Co-Cities,' Spotlights Empowerment Within Urban Communities"
812:
232:
during the 2023-2024 academic year, and was appointed as a tenured professor of climate in 2024.
220:
410:
Foster, S. (1993). Difference and equality: A critical assessment of the concept of diversity.
1150:
1104:
1100:
1096:
1076:
1012:
Kashwan, Prakash; Mudaliar, Praneeta; Foster, Sheila R.; Clement, Floriane (January 1, 2021).
963:
959:
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937:
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777:
773:
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139:
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902:"The Law of Environmental Justice: Theories and Procedures to Address Disproportionate Risks"
727:
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386:
Comparative Equality and Anti-discrimination Law: Cases, Codes, Constitutions, and Commentary
1140:
1033:
804:
527:
224:
155:
151:
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The Law of Environmental Justice: Theories and Procedures to Address Disproportionate Risks
374:
From the Ground Up: Environmental Racism and the Rise of the Environmental Justice Movement
164:
From the Ground Up: Environmental Racism and the Rise of the Environmental Justice Movement
471:"Faculty Announcement: Sheila Foster Appointed Professor of Climate – State of the Planet"
431:
Foster, S. R. (2006). The city as an ecological space: social capital and urban land use.
252:
580:
1136:
1029:
792:
546:"Editorial Information - Journal of Climate Resilience and Climate Justice - MIT Press"
256:
52:
Distinguished Scholar Award, Senior Faculty, International Academy of Environmental Law
994:
1192:
1053:
770:"Vulnerability, Equality, and Environmental Justice: The Potential and Limits of Law"
327:
in its 2019 report. This work identified ways to incorporate equity into the city's
545:
195:
71:
43:
1014:"Reimagining and governing the commons in an unequal world: A critical engagement"
1038:
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Foster's work is focused in legal and policy fields related to environmental and
1054:"CITIES IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE • CITY POWER AND POWERLESSNESS ON THE GLOBAL STAGE"
598:
346:
2017 – Environmental Initiative Award, The Earth Commons, Georgetown University
216:
78:
398:
Co-Cities: Innovative Transitions Toward Just and Self-Sustaining Communities
168:
Co-Cities: Innovative Transitions Toward Just and Self-Sustaining Communities
417:
Foster, S. (1993). Race (ial) matters: The quest for environmental justice.
191:
1154:
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158:. She served as the former Clarkson Distinguished Chair in Planning at the
719:
562:
303:
Co-Cities: Innovative Transitions to Just and Self-Sustaining Communities
147:
1145:
1120:
956:"The City as a Commons by Sheila Foster, Christian Iaione :: SSRN"
934:"Collective Action and the Urban Commons by Sheila Foster :: SSRN"
864:"Environmental Justice Reading List | Environmental Law Institute"
836:
e-Extreme: newlsletter of the ecpr Standing Group on Extremist Politics
816:
744:
Human rights and climate change: building synergies for a common future
349:
2018 – Senior Scholar Award, International Academy of Environmental Law
128:
32:
1097:"Local Initiatives by Sheila Foster, Chiara Pappalardo :: SSRN"
808:
652:
883:"The Best Books About Environmental Justice, According to Experts"
352:
2022 – Eco Impact Award, The Earth Commons, Georgetown University
116:
445:
Foster, S. R., & Iaione, C. (2015). The city as a commons.
438:
Foster, S. R. (2011). Collective action and the urban commons.
186:
Foster earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English from the
131:, and an author. She is a tenured Professor of Climate at the
720:"Environmental Justice in an Era of Devolved Collaboration"
1069:"City networks and the glocalization of urban governance"
219:
from 1994 to 2002. From there, she joined the faculty at
1067:
Foster, Sheila R.; Swiney, Chrystie (August 27, 2021).
639:
NYC Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
392:
The Cambridge Handbook of Commons Research Innovations
510:"Iucnael - 2018 Environmental Law Scholarship Awards"
900:
Gerrard, Michael; Foster, Sheila (January 1, 2008).
325:
Community-Based Assessments of Adaptation and Equity
112:
98:
93:
77:
65:
60:
39:
28:
21:
563:"Sheila Foster | Environmental Law Institute"
138:Foster is most known her research in the areas of
1073:Research Handbook on International Law and Cities
176:Journal of Climate Resilience and Climate Justice
1169:"ACOEL Announces Newly-Elected Fellows for 2024"
1018:Current Research in Environmental Sustainability
492:"Sheila Foster, 2022 Clarkson Chair in Planning"
635:"New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC)"
241:New York City Mayor's Panel on Climate Change
8:
747:. Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 43–53.
170:. In addition, she is a Founding Editor of
46:Winner in Architecture and Urban Planning,
1125:Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
18:
1199:University of California, Berkeley alumni
1144:
1037:
617:"Georgetown University Faculty Directory"
1219:Georgetown University Law Center faculty
1214:McCourt School of Public Policy faculty
459:
989:
987:
699:
697:
682:
680:
830:Rootes, Christopher (April 7, 2001).
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881:Denton-Hurst, Tembe (May 10, 2021).
718:Foster, Sheila (November 20, 2001).
465:
463:
318:The local role in climate governance
741:Foster, Sheila R.; Galizzi, Paolo.
791:Foster, Sheila (January 1, 1998).
200:University of California, Berkeley
88:University of California, Berkeley
48:Association of American Publishers
14:
850:"Environmental Justice Resources"
340:2017 – Bellagio Residency Award,
1085:– via www.elgaronline.com.
757:– via www.elgaronline.com.
277:The Law of Environmental Justice
768:Foster, Sheila (June 5, 2016).
117:https://www.sheilarfoster.com/
1:
1204:University of Michigan alumni
599:"Sheila Foster – LPE Project"
1039:10.1016/j.crsust.2021.100102
780:– via papers.ssrn.com.
730:– via papers.ssrn.com.
329:climate change vulnerability
621:gufaculty360.georgetown.edu
309:Cities in global governance
292:Cities as commons/co-cities
1235:
705:"Impact Award Recipients"
400:(2022) ISBN 9780262539982
394:(2021) ISBN 9781108938617
388:(2012) ISBN 9781609300616
382:(2008) ISBN 9781604420838
376:(2001) ISBN 9780814715376
213:Rutgers University–Camden
108:
56:
16:Legal scholar and author
978:"Team | Co-Cities"
447:Yale L. & Pol'y Rev
230:Columbia Climate School
198:(J.D.) degree from the
133:Columbia Climate School
532:www.law.georgetown.edu
342:Rockefeller Foundation
188:University of Michigan
84:University of Michigan
299:The City as a Commons
263:Environmental justice
160:University at Buffalo
995:"2023 Award Winners"
667:"Sheila Rose Foster"
496:archplan.buffalo.edu
150:law and policy, and
1137:2019NYASA1439..126F
1030:2021CRES....300102K
688:"ECo Impact Awards"
103:Columbia University
61:Academic background
1146:10.1111/nyas.14009
671:scholar.google.com
581:"Sheila R. Foster"
270:From the Ground Up
221:Fordham University
125:Sheila Rose Foster
23:Sheila Rose Foster
1082:978-1-78897-328-1
754:978-1-78536-952-0
440:Notre Dame L. Rev
433:Notre Dame L. Rev
405:Selected articles
335:Awards and honors
140:environmental law
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653:"About People"
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178:since 2022.
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99:Institutions
1075:: 368–380.
868:www.eli.org
797:Cal. L. Rev
567:www.eli.org
449:., 34, 281.
435:., 82, 527.
428:., 86, 775.
412:Wis. L. Rev
44:Prose Award
1193:Categories
1178:2024-06-15
1024:: 100102.
477:2024-06-15
454:References
442:., 87, 57.
421:, 20, 721.
419:Ecology LQ
217:New Jersey
79:Alma mater
35:and author
585:MIT Press
192:Ann Arbor
182:Education
66:Education
1155:30875123
247:Research
148:land use
146:, urban
1133:Bibcode
1105:3952722
1026:Bibcode
964:2653084
942:1791767
817:3481140
803:: 775.
778:2790584
414:., 105.
172:SLoGLaw
144:justice
113:Website
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728:291510
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206:Career
166:, and
40:Awards
1173:ACOEL
813:JSTOR
368:Books
152:state
127:is a
50:(AAP)
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