Policy · Planning · Research
MPAff & MSCRP candidate at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the University of Texas at Austin. Working at the intersection of urban economics, climate adaptation, and democratic governance.
About
Christopher Carl Wilkins is an MPAff & MSCRP candidate at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the University of Texas at Austin. His work sits at the intersection of urban economics, climate adaptation, and democratic governance.
Before graduate school, Christopher worked as a public school history teacher in Dallas, Texas, where he developed curriculum, analyzed student outcomes, and advocated for improved conditions for educators and students.
His current research explores the economic consequences of climate displacement, examining how relocation policies can unintentionally disrupt livelihoods by separating households from economic networks.
Christopher is also engaged in applied policy and organizing efforts on education funding, tenant protections, sustainable food systems, and strengthening local journalism ecosystems across Texas.
Selected Work
An analysis of how climate-induced relocation creates spatial mismatch between housing and livelihoods, with three complementary policy proposals addressing economic, environmental, and equity failures in the SERRP program.
View Report →Building local journalism ecosystems and expanding access to reliable civic information across Texas.
Visit Site →An ArcGIS StoryMap using spatial narrative and policy analysis to examine how planning decisions, infrastructure, and public systems shape unequal community outcomes.
View StoryMap →An interactive R Shiny dashboard analyzing public sentiment in HB3 and SB2 testimony, mapping opposition and support patterns across Texas communities using NRC, Bing, and AFINN lexicons.
View Dashboard →An interactive R Shiny dashboard analyzing county-level animal cruelty enforcement, reporting transparency, and disposition outcomes across Texas from 2020–2025.
View Dashboard →Research Interests
Get in Touch
Whether you're interested in discussing research, exploring collaboration on policy projects, or just want to connect — I'd love to hear from you.