Mark Ortiz is a geographer with research interests spanning youth politics, social movement studies, storytelling methods, and environmental/climate justice.
Mark is the Creator and Director of the Global Youth Storytelling and Research Lab (The GYSRL), a collaborative research ecosystem that aims to bridge youth-centered research, education, storytelling, and policy advocacy. He also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focused on climate justice and youth geographies.
Mark’s current research explores: 1.) Transnational youth climate justice advocacy; 2.) The evolution of youth engagement in multilateral institutions (e.g. the U.N.); and 3.) Environmental and climate justice in the U.S. South.
He has interviewed and worked with youth environmental and climate justice advocates from around the world - from the Pacific to the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region, to the U.S. South and beyond. Much of his work is built around a commitment to chronicling stories of advocacy among youth and community organizations in regions and communities most impacted by climate and environmental injustice.
