March 28, 2024: Eduardo A. Lugo Hernandez

Puerto Rico is the oldest colony in the history of the world. For the past seven years it has been severely affected by the climate crisis. The impact of the climate crisis on people and communities comes in the backdrop of a colonial relationship with the United States, that has generated unequal access to resources and the imposition of austerity measures with implications in all facets of Puerto Rican well-being. It is in this backdrop that the work of Dr. Eduardo A. Lugo-Hernández develops. In his presentation, Dr. Lugo, who is a clinical community psychologists, will present about multiple inter and transdisciplinary projects where he collaborates. The first one is the project Aula en la Montaña which provides educational and socioemotional support to children from an impoverished and remote community in the mountains of PR. The second one if the PR100 project, funded by the Department of Energy, where Dr. Lugo collaborated to assess people’s satisfaction with the electric grid, solar systems and the effects of energy injustice on people’s mental health. The third project , is a photovoice project in collaboration with Northeastern University to document communities perspective on energy transitions. Finally, Dr. Lugo will talk about his role in public policy as Executive Director of the Commission to Reduce Child Poverty and Inequality in Puerto Rico, and expand on how psychological research and community interventions are important aspects of transforming contexts to promote wellbeing and justice.