Ward Thomas

Ward Thomas is a Professor in the Urban Studies and Planning Department at California State University, Northridge.  He has a Ph.D. in urban planning and a master’s degree in public administration.  His research focuses on economic development, environmental racism, and environmental policy and he teaches a variety of courses in these areas, including the growth and development of cities, public policy analysis, environmental justice, and urban and regional economic development. 
Paul Ong is Research Professor at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the Institute on the Environment and Sustainability, and is the Director of the Center for Neighborhood Knowledge. He has a master's in urban planning and a doctorate in economics, and his research focuses on the urban spatial structure, race and economic inequality, environmental justice, and urban labor market disparities.  He has served on advisory committees or as a technical advisor for numerous federal, state and regional agencies, including the Southern California Air Quality Management District. He is one of the 2021 recipients of the Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award from the California Air Resource Board for his work on environmental justice and community service.