Dr. Michael Shank is the Communications Director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, a group of international cities committed to achieving aggressive long-term carbon reduction goals. Michael’s professional career includes leading press and/or policy shops at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Climate Nexus, U.S. Congress, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Institute for Economics and Peace, Biodiversity Northwest, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and more.
Michael’s academic career includes a Ph.D. from George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Michael is adjunct faculty at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, where he teaches graduate courses on Sustainable Development, Power and Politics and Climate and Security. Shank also serves as adjunct faculty and advisory board member at George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, where he teaches graduate courses on Communicating Conflict.
Michael is a former opinion columnist for the Washington Post and US News & World Report and a contributor to USA Today, CNN, FOX News, The Guardian, TIME, Fast Company, Newsweek and more. Michael lives in Brandon, VT, where he chairs the Planning Commission and Energy Committee, serves on the boards of the Safer Society Foundation and Compass Music and Arts Foundation, founded Brandon Films, Brandon Writes, and Brandon Serves, and runs a small animal sanctuary.
Ph.D. Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University (2013)
M.A. Conflict Transformation & Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University (2005)
B.F.A. Theatre, Kent State University (1996)