Lucy Thompson

Lucy is a human geographer interested in the intersection of environmental (in)justice, embodiment, more-than-human community, and the expansion of natural gas infrastructure in central Appalachia. They approach these questions through the lenses of feminist geography and critical environmental theory. Lucy’s research explores questions regarding relationality between land, people, and non-human agents in the face of continued environmental challenges in Appalachia. Methodologically, she is interested in public-facing communication which prioritizes both beauty and accessibility through methods such as storytelling and zines. 

Prior to beginning her time at Penn State, Lucy studied as an Honors Tutorial College student at Ohio University, completing degrees in geography and environmental studies. Growing from an interest in how rurality, sense of place, and environmental degradation in Appalachia intertwine with gender and self-identity, they studied the discourse and role of motherhood in environmental justice movements in the region.