People at ILR

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people / faculty

Avalon Hoek Spaans

Assistant Director of Research, Climate Jobs Institute
EXT-CJI

Overview

Hoek Spaans is the Assistant Director of Research at Cornell University’s ILR School Climate Jobs Institute.

They specialize in the intersection of equity, workforce, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Their current work focuses on conducting climate and labor research and policy development to move forward a just transition that builds equity and uplifts working people while transitioning to a green economy. They previously managed an inaugural climate workforce development program funded by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, training over 150 formerly incarcerated New Yorkers and at-risk young adults for careers in the green infrastructure and renewable energy industries. They have presented their work and ideas both locally and internationally; in 2019, they spoke on a panel at Grey2Green Toronto on the poor labor standards and lack of local hiring occurring in the NYC Green Roof industry and the pervasive nationwide relationship between urban greening and gentrification of neighborhoods.

Avalon received their M.A. in Climate and Society from Columbia University and B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Florida. They currently serve on Columbia University’s Climate School Climate and Society board. In addition, they are a trained climate organizer, scientist, and abolitionist.

Professional Activities

  • Climate and Labor Research Methods and Resources. Presented to British Columbia Federation of Labour. 2024.
  • Applications of Data Visualization. Presented to Climate Jobs Institute. 2024.
  • Careers in Climate and Labor. Presented to Columbia Climate School. 2024.
  • Developing A Union Climate Jobs Plan For Massachusetts. Presented to Massachusetts AFL-CIO. Virtual. 2023.
  • Developing a Union Climate Jobs Plan for Massachusetts. Presented to MA AFL-CIO. Virtual. 2022.
  • Labor Leading on Climate: Tackling Climate Change, Reversing Inequality and Building an Inclusive Clean Energy Economy. Presented to Cornell University, ILR School. Virtual. 2022.
  • Climate for Change: A Climate Jobs Roadmap for NYC. Virtual. 2022.
  • Climate for Change: A Climate Jobs Roadmap for NYC. Virtual. 2022.
  • Emerging Clean Technologies Advisory Group Meeting #2. Presented to Breakthrough Energy. Virtual. 2022.
  • Climate for Change: A Climate Jobs Roadmap for NYC. Virtual. 2022.
  • Climate Justice and Collective Bargaining: Final Recommendations. Presented to SEIU1021. Virtual. 2022.
  • Emerging Clean Technologies: Brief Overview of the Four Technologies. Presented to Breakthrough Energy . Virtual. 2022.
  • Climate Justice and Collective Bargaining: Updated Recommendations. Presented to SEIU1021. Virtual. 2022.
  • Climate Justice and Collective Bargaining: Draft Recommendations. Presented to SEIU1021. Virtual. 2021.
  • Offshore Wind Supply Research. Presented to Climate Jobs National Resource Center . Virtual. 2021.
  • Labor and the Climate Movement: Challenges and Opportunities. Presented to 350 Brooklyn. Virtual. 2021.
  • Labor Leading on Climate Lunch and Learn. Presented to Cornell ILR Outreach. Virtual. 2021.
  • CFHS Rhode Island: Background Research and Analysis. Presented to Climate Jobs Rhode Island. Virtual. 2021.
  • CFHS Connecticut: Background Research and Analysis. Presented to Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs. Virtual. 2021.
  • The Role of Hydrogen in a Decarbonized Economy . Presented to Climate Jobs NY. Virtual. 2021.
  • Labor Leading on Climate and Jobs in Rhode Island. Presented to Climate Jobs Rhode Island. Virtual. 2021.
  • Labor Leading on Climate and Jobs in Texas. Presented to Texas Climate Jobs Project. Virtual. 2021.
  • Labor Leading on Climate and Jobs in Wisconsin. Presented to Climate Jobs National Resource Center. Virtual. 2021.
  • Labor Leading on Climate and Jobs in Maine. Presented to Maine AFL-CIO. Virtual. 2021.
  • Labor Leading on Climate and Jobs in Rhode Island. Presented to Climate Jobs Rhode Island. Virtual. 2021.
  • Labor Leading on Climate and Jobs in Wisconsin. Presented to Climate Jobs National Resource Center. Virtual. 2021.

Contact

570 Lexington Ave, 11th Floor, 1107-13

Areas of Expertise