Dr. Dakota McCarty

Dr. Dakota McCarty is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science & Policy at George Mason University Korea since 2024. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy from Incheon National University (2023) and an M.Sc. and B.A. in International Political Economy from the University of Texas at Dallas. His research lies at the intersection of environmental science, urban planning, and machine learning, focusing on developing smarter, more sustainable planning strategies. His publication record includes articles in journals such as Environment and Planning B, PLoS one, and Environments. Recognized with multiple grants and awards, including the Korea Land & Urban Planning Association President's Award, Dr. McCarty is driven to uncover new insights and generate innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges. In addition to his research, Dr. McCarty is dedicated to teaching and mentorship, committed to fostering academic diversity, and has supervised numerous student research projects and theses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He actively participates in academic services as a reviewer for several journals and as a member of various professional organizations, such as the Association of European Schools of Planning and the Korea Planning Association. Inspired by mathematician Hannah Fry, Dr. McCarty questions assumptions and embraces the philosophy of '99% invisible' to find effective solutions.