Author Archives: Bethany Barratt

About Bethany Barratt

Dr. Barratt earned her PhD from the University of California in 2002, and her BA in Political Science/History from Duke University in 1994. She is Director of the Joseph Loundy Human Rights Project, which joins forces with community partners in Chicago and cities abroad to draw and apply comparative lessons to make measurable gains in respect for human rights in urban settings. Professor Barratt has conducted archival and field research in Yellowstone National Park, Central Asia, the UK, Canada, and Australia. She is author or editor of several books including “Human Rights and Foreign Aid” (Routledge, 2007), "The Politics of Harry Potter" (Palgrave McMillan, 2012), and coeditor o "Public Opinion and War: Lessons from Iraq" (Potomac, 2012). She has also authored articles on environmental politics and justice, conservation policy, human rights, foreign aid, US, British, Canadian, and Australian foreign policy, and counterterrorism, in Political Research Quarterly, The Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and edited volumes from Ashgate and Lexington Books. Besides her teaching experience at Roosevelt and the University of California, she has also taught in a number of jails and prisons. She is an officer or member of several scholarly associations including the American Political Science Association and the International Studies Association.

A Note About Our Oct. 24 Event, The Complex Politics of Gentrification and Environmental Sacrifice Zones, a Conversation With Dr. Troy Hernandez

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

Thanks to all who joined us for our discussion with Troy Hernandez on Oct. 24. The views expressed by Dr. Hernandez were his own. The Loundy Human Rights Project does not endorse statements made about Pilsen Alliance, which has presented … Continue reading →

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Oct. 10: The Price of Industry? The Environmental Sacrifice Zones of the Illinois/Indiana Borderlands

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

  After spending all semester thus far  in the Chicago River watershed, on October 10 we moved a few miles – a world away – to that of the Calumet. I always feel there’s something in the air in South … Continue reading →

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Oct. 17: Thomas Frank Takes Us On a Virtual Toxic Tour of East Chicago

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

  While our last blog post documented our exploration of perhaps the most famous polluted waterway in America – Bubbly Creek – as October has progressed this semester’s Loundy Human Rights Project Scholars have moved somewhat further south to the … Continue reading →

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Oct 3: Navigating Chicago’s Origins at Bubbly Creek

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

There may be no place more important to the origins of Chicago itself – and of its environmental injustices – than the 3 way intersection between the Chicago River’s South Branch, it’s South Fork(!), and the Sanitary and Ship Canal. … Continue reading →

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Sembrando Semillas de Justicia y Esperanza en La Villita (Sowing Seeds of Justice and Hope in Little Village)

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

Little Village: the city’s youngest neighborhood, its second-busiest economically (after Michigan Avenue) and one which has been at the forefront of the fight for environmental justice in Chicago. Fall is a particularly exciting time to visit La Villita, as residents … Continue reading →

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Yellowstone Summer Field Notes Day 18: Farewell to Wonderland

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

Day 18-can it be? Today I bid the park farewell for now. I had some flexibility in my leaving time and some things I needed to get back to Chicago for, so when offered the chance to wrap things up … Continue reading →

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Yellowstone Summer Field Notes Day 17: Moving Office

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

Day 18: Perhaps the most amazing thing about this place is that even everyday moments are so sublime. I thought today I’d share a few examples of the everyday becoming magical. Today began a project that Ranger Tim and I … Continue reading →

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Yellowstone Summer Day 16 Field Notes: Back to Wonderland

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

Another short one today – my days seem to be getting longer as I try to squeeze in every possible moment of wonder in Wonderland. Day 16 highlights: 1. Drove back from Bozeman this morning. Would you like to know … Continue reading →

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Yellowstone Summer Day 15 Field Notes: Bozeman Edition

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

I’m sure everyone will be devastated by brevity of tonight’s post, courtesy of wifi scarcity here at family friends’ house in Bozeman. 😉 Today’s highlights, sadly sans better photos from the real camera: 1) Finally getting out to Lamar before 630 … Continue reading →

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Yellowstone Summer Day 14 Field Notes: Woman Proposes, Elk Disposes

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Bethany Barratt

Bon jour du Bastille! I was super excited not to be in the parking lot for most of today, because I had plans for phase two of my little traffic research project. Well, woman proposes, elk disposes, and indeed I … Continue reading →

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