About

Director
agsten@usc.edu

Allison Agsten is the inaugural director of USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication where she develops initiatives to bolster public understanding of – and response to – climate change. She is also executive producer of the USC energy transition podcast series, Electric Futures, and the author of a range of reports addressing climate change and the media, corporate sustainability practices, and policy-related issues.

In addition to her appointment at the Annenberg School, Agsten served as curator at the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Through the Office of Religious Life, she holds the role of eco-chaplain, where she provides support to faculty, staff, and students at the university.

Also at USC, Agsten is a scholar at the Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service, an affiliate with the Schaeffer Behavioral Science and Policy Initiative, and a fellow of the Los Angeles Institute of Humanities. Beyond Los Angeles, she is an affiliate of the University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Biological Sciences and the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Previously, Agsten has held roles in the fields of journalism, communications, and public engagement, including as a producer at CNN, Director of Communications at LACMA, and Curator of Public Engagement at the Hammer Museum. Her work has been recognized by the city and the county of Los Angeles, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, a range of philanthropic organizations, and local, national, and international media.

Agsten holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School and a BA from UCLA.

Project Specialist
chuff@usc.edu

Casey Huff is an educator and climate communicator whose work sits at the intersection of science, sustainability education, and climate activism. She spent a decade in independent education as a teacher and Dean, where she developed programs focused on environmental literacy, sustainability and community engagement. As a Project Specialist at USC, Casey will  lead Annenberg’s Certificate in Sustainability Communication, supporting professionals as they build the knowledge, communication skills, and practical tools to drive meaningful climate action.

Her interests include environmental education, mycology research, and finding new ways to connect people with complex scientific and environmental issues and inspire meaningful action. Additionally, she is an avid backpacker and outdoor enthusiast, having spent ample time in the backcountry in Wyoming, Arizona, and California.

Casey holds a B.A. from UCSB and an MPL from USC.

Research Assistant
jelandis@usc.edu

James Landis is a senior at USC studying economics and AI. Growing up in California, James always had a passion for nature. This love for the outdoors sparked his interest in energy and more sustainable power sources to help cut emissions and benefit the climate. This summer, he is excited to learn more about our environment by contributing to media and publications to raise awareness and share science-backed information about our climate’s status.

Research Assistant
ellendav@usc.edu

Ellen Davis is a USC undergraduate student at the Sol Price School of Public Policy studying public policy with a focus on healthcare policy, particularly at the intersection of health and sustainability. Born and raised in Alabama, she is also deeply committed to keeping equitable access at the forefront of all her work. Ellen is a Hayes Barnard Sustainability Fellow and serves as a guide for USC’s two largest outdoors organizations, reflecting her devotion to and appreciation for the natural world.

Research Assistant
leegina@usc.edu

Gina Lee is a senior at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism studying public relations and advertising, analytics, and design. This fall, she is excited to bring together her communications studies with her love for the environment and investigate how to talk about today’s climate issues with the world. She’s most interested in how AI can grow sustainably and in new energy innovation across the globe, with a focus on Asia from her roots in Hong Kong.

Senior Producer
carra@usc.edu

Mallory Carra, is a veteran journalist, podcast producer and adjunct professor with 20 years of journalism and new media experience. She teaches digital, audio and TV journalism at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and has worked on several podcasts, including Sarah Turney’s Voices for Justice, The Why Files, and USC’s Electric Futures. Previously, Mallory worked on podcasts at Spotify’s Parcast Studios for over 5 years. She also writes articles for NBCU Academy’s Equity Lab and is the founder of the West Coast Media Jobs newsletter.

Associate Producer
scline@usc.edu

Spencer Cline is a seasoned podcast and multimedia producer who got his start in college radio hosting a political talk show program titled “Talking With Spencer” during the election cycle of 2016. From there, he enrolled at the University of Southern California’s where he obtained his Masters of Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, where he was one of the executive producers of Annenberg Radio News. Today, he is a freelance radio and podcast producer and has worked on projects such as Electric Futures and the Center for Music Ecosystems.