Thanks for visiting! I'm Caitlyn Linehan, a PhD candidate in Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I work with Dr. Trisalyn Nelson in the Spatial Pattern Analysis & Research (SPAR) Lab.

​

I received my B.S. in Environmental Science from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and my M.S. in Geographic Information Science from CUNY Lehman College in the Bronx, NY. My research focuses on developing more equitable and inclusive measures of pedestrian mobility, walkability, and active transportation safety. I use crowdsourced data, spatial analysis, and exposure modeling to understand how urban environments shape pedestrian experiences differently across communities, particularly for marginalized populations.

My work is grounded in a commitment to environmental and transportation justice. Growing up in the Bronx, I witnessed firsthand how infrastructure inequities compound disadvantage, and this personal connection drives my research and teaching. I've worked with organizations including New Yorkers for Parks, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and various community groups to make spatial data and analysis accessible to residents advocating for safer, more walkable neighborhoods.

​

Beyond academia, I'm passionate about expanding environmental education, particularly for urban youth in NYC. In my free time, you'll find me exploring different restaurants throughout New York City and walking through neighborhoods old and new.

 

​