Michael Roman - Peace Corps: Kiribati

I’m a cultural anthropologist working on climate migration readiness in Cincinnati and on cultural heritage and non-economic loss and damage in Kiribati. I teach and advise students at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College.

SELECTED WORK

Cincinnati Climate Migration Readiness Plan. As a member of the city’s Environmental Advisory Board, I contribute to planning for how Cincinnati can welcome people moving in response to climate change.

Kiribati cultural heritage and non-economic loss and damage. With Tungaru Climate Alliance, I help develop a Pacific Community–supported project that uses community interviews and youth storytelling to document cultural heritage and climate-related loss.

Peace Corps Connect 2025. While serving on the National Peace Corps Association board, I chaired the national conference in Washington, D.C., leading event planning and organizing a job fair and congressional advocacy day.

Climate change is the greatest moral challenge of our generation. It cannot be relegated to academic exercises, economic paradigms, or scientific pursuits of knowledge without placing our shared humanity first.