Sophie Boehm is a Research Associate II for WRI's Systems Change Lab and Climate Program. Focusing her research on socio-technical transitions, social-ecological transformations and tipping points, Sophie examines historical systems change and the factors that can impede or enable it. Her analysis helps guide the Lab’s efforts to monitor, learn from and mobilize action to accelerate the systemwide transformations now needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, halt biodiversity loss and secure a more just, equitable future for all. More specifically, Sophie’s research spans food and agricultural systems, as well as terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, and she most recently served as the lead author of the State of Climate Action 2021 and the State of Climate Action 2022.

Sophie comes to Systems Change Lab from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat, where she conducted research on adaptation and resilience, as well as supported negotiations on the Nairobi Work Programme. She also tracked negotiations on adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance for the Tongan delegation at COP24 and COP25. Previously, Sophie worked for WRI’s Equity Center, distilling experts’ research into compelling, policy-relevant messages for a range of projects at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development. And before joining WRI, she spent four years working for civil society organizations dedicated to advancing health equity in Uganda and South Africa.

Sophie received a Bachelor of Arts in World Politics from Hamilton College and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, where she specialized in climate change science and policy. She is a running enthusiast, avid reader and aspiring baker.