Environmental Science Professor Publishes Paper in the Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Journal

By Brian Laubscher
September 3, 2025

Ryan McCoy, assistant professor of environmental studies at Washington and Lee University, recently published a paper that will appear in the October 2025 issue of the Studies in History and Philosophy of Science journal.

McCoy's paper, "The Contributory Role of Local Knowledge in Climate Research," highlights the need for localized climate information and argues for the incorporation of the expertise and knowledge of local communities. This can both improve the understanding of climate change, as well as foster adaptation and mitigation efforts.

"The extent to which Indigenous and local communities are included within climate research and policy has largely hinged on those communities' needs and values, not their knowledge and expertise," said McCoy. "What this research shows is that we should take seriously the knowledge of these communities, particularly regarding observed climate change impacts and knowledge of factors that mediate the severity of climate change."

The research used for McCoy's paper was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation and was supported by an appointment to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Research Participation Program administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

McCoy is entering his second year as a member of the W&L faculty after earning a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Kentucky. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Belmont University and a Master of Arts in philosophy from Georgia State University.

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