Hello! My name is Jen Park-Burrows — an interdisciplinary, globally-minded researcher and creative systems thinker working at the intersection of environmental ethics, advocacy for humans and more-than-human life, and emerging technology.
My work reimagines sustainable development through an ecological and ethical lens—prioritizing the well-being of all life on this interconnected planet. I care deeply about how our relationship with the natural world shapes law, policy, and innovation—and how we can do better.
Academic & Research Background
I hold a BFA in Visual Art from the conceptual art program at Mason Gross School of the Arts and an MS in Global Affairs from New York University, where I formally concentrated in Peacebuilding and additionally completed full concentration-level coursework in Energy and Environmental Policy and International Development and Humanitarian Assistance.
My Master’s thesis—awarded With Distinction—examined the impacts of climate change in the Arctic, including the loss and endangerment of marine and terrestrial biodiversity, alongside increasing regional militarization, corporatization, and politicization. It explored the political ecology of international law and religion, and how these legacies shape our understanding of non-human welfare and rights. Ultimately, I argued for recognizing the Arctic as a global commons and a common heritage of humankind, with Indigenous knowledge systems leading its governance.
Professional Background
My research and interests in sustainable development, environmental and wildlife law, ecological justice, and the ethics of emerging technologies align closely with my professional experience. From early work with wearable tech and smart voice systems to recent research on AI and human rights, I have consistently pursued ethical innovation across disciplines. I’ve written policy briefs, co-authored AI country reports, and contributed to the Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index with the Center for AI and Digital Policy. Alongside my research, I’ve developed art installations merging ecology and creativity—such as a living greenhouse sewn from discarded plastic bags—and collaborated with artists and arthouses like Sol LeWitt and sound-art pioneer Pauline Oliveros. I have also led SMART command development for major brands including Samsung and LG, and supported education initiatives across Asia by designing tech-integrated English curricula for institutions like YBM and RISE Global.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to ethical, cross-disciplinary collaboration. Whether presenting research at the United Nations CSW69 or shaping conservation policy through research and writing, I strive to connect ideas and actions across systems and sectors to advance a just and sustainable future for people, animals, and ecosystems.
As a lifelong learner, I am endlessly curious and connecting dots. If I don’t know something, I investigate. If something needs to be done, I figure out how.
