USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication was established to leverage the expertise of the school’s renowned journalism and communication faculty to train journalists, communication professionals, and students to tackle the biggest story of our time.
Photo by Giacomo d’Orlando / Climate Visuals
Team
Tess Branker Photo
Allison Agsten
Director
agsten@usc.edu
Allison Agsten is the inaugural director of USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication. In her role, she develops strategic priorities and conceptualizes initiatives to bolster public understanding of climate change. Upcoming projects include the energy transition podcast series, Electric Futures, of which she serves as executive producer, and a report on the state of climate communications in the U.S., of which she is the primary author. She was recently named one of COP28 UAE’s 50 inaugural global Actionists in recognition of her contributions to the field of climate communication.
In addition to her appointment at the Annenberg School, Agsten serves as the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability’s first curator. In that position, she facilitates expression at the intersection of art and climate, including a series of Getty Pacific Standard Time convenings conceived by artist Carolina Caycedo to bring together Latin American community leaders to exchange organizing principles and practices related to the energy transition.
Previously, Agsten has worked in journalism, communications, and public engagement capacities including as a producer at CNN, Director of Communications at LACMA, and Curator of Public Engagement at the Hammer Museum.
Agsten holds a BA from UCLA and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Pawan Ahuja
Academic Program Administrator
pawanahu@usc.edu
Pawan Ahuja serves as an Academic Program Administrator for USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication. She works closely with Allison Agsten in developing partnerships and programs for the center.
One of her interests of study is understanding the warming planet as one of the biggest challenges facing the global food system and the importance to develop solutions to disruptions in the food system associated with climate change.
Pawan has been a part of the Trojan team for over 8 years, working at Financial Business Services and Dornsife’s Center for Economic and Social Research. Prior to USC, she worked for the non-profit organization, Cure Huntington’s Disease Initiative (CHDI).
Pawan obtained her BA and MA in Comparative Religion from California State University.
Shreya Agrawal
Engagement Coordinator
shreyaag@usc.edu
Shreya Agrawal is a climate journalist and communicator who reports on the environment, health, politics and social issues. She is currently working as the Climate Center’s Engagement Coordinator and was previously the Center’s first rural climate reporting fellow at Malheur Enterprise in Vale, Oregon. She also works as a newsroom fellow for The Xylom, an award-winning science publication, as well as a news reporting cohort fellow for Sojourners Magazine.
Her work has been published in several outlets including Los Angeles Times, CalMatters and Planet Forward, and she has appeared on radio stations like CapRadio, LAist, KCBS and KQED to talk about her reporting. She graduated from USC in 2023 with bachelor’s degrees in Geological Sciences and English, and a master’s degree in Journalism. She also founded and was formerly the inaugural editor of Annenberg Media Earth. She hopes to bridge gaps in climate communication and education and help save the planet with her work.
Michael Kittilson
Research Assistant
kittilso@usc.edu
As a first-year graduate student at USC Annenberg, Michael Kittilson is deeply engaged in the study of Public Relations and Advertising, driven by a passion to navigate and resolve some of the most challenging messaging and communication issues faced globally. His diverse five-year career has provided him with a rich tapestry of experiences at the intersection of strategic communications, technology, and policy.
Michael’s journey has been marked by his work with diverse entities such as the U.S. Department of State, Office of the Arizona Governor, and leading national media organizations, where he honed his skills in crafting impactful narratives and designing communication strategies that resonate on a wide scale. His approach blends analytical acumen with a creative spirit, aiming to foster understanding and change in the increasingly complex digital landscape.
At the Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication, Michael aims to apply his expertise to the urgent issues of climate change and environmental advocacy. Through innovative PR and Advertising methodologies, he seeks to elevate public discourse and strives to make a tangible impact on environmental challenges.
A member of USC’s Center for Public Relations, Michael has authored five professional essays on artificial intelligence’s impact on communications in the 21st century economy.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Michael enjoys exploring the convergence of technology and storytelling, often channeling this passion into screenwriting and the creation of original content. His dedication to storytelling is not just a career choice but also a personal hobby that he believes plays a pivotal role in shaping the narratives of tomorrow.
Mallory Carra
Lead Producer
carra@usc.edu
As Lead Producer, Mallory Carra is working with USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication on the Imperial Valley podcast about the upcoming environmental development happening in the region. She is also an adjunct journalism professor at Annenberg, where she teaches a core curriculum live TV and radio/podcast reporting class and serves as the faculty advisor for Annenberg Media’s elevASIAN, the Asian and Pacific Islander digital vertical.
For over five years, Mallory worked on a wide range of weekly and daily podcasts for Spotify’s Parcast Studios until its Summer 2023 closure. A longtime journalist and editor, Mallory’s work has been featured in outlets such as the BBC World Service, NBCU Academy, and the New York Daily News, among many others.
A native of New York City, Mallory holds an M.F.A. in screenwriting from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and a B.A. in journalism from NYU. Additionally, she earned a certificate in podcasting from UC Berkeley’s Advanced Media Institute.
Natalie Lopez
Associate Producer
nhlopez@usc.edu
Natalie Lopez is an Associate Producer at the Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication. She is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Environmental Studies.
Within her role at the Climate Center, she primarily works on the Imperial Valley podcast and the upcoming environmental development happening in this region. As an Imperial Valley native, she is passionate about environmental education and bringing awareness to others of her beloved hometown. She is excited to bring a voice to her community and learn more about the economic, and social implications of global environmental issues.
Spencer Cline
Associate Producer
scline@usc.edu
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