Climate Policy Expert & Political Scientist; Associate Professor at UC Santa Barbara; Author of "Short Circuiting Policy"; Co-Host of "A Matter of Degrees"

Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Leah Stokes Biography

Dr. Leah Stokes is a Canadian-American political scientist specializing in climate and energy policy. With extensive experience in the field, Stokes has contributed to the development and advocacy of climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. She holds the position of Anton Vonk Associate Professor of Environmental Politics in the Department of Political Science and is affiliated with the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Stokes earned her PhD in public policy and a master's degree in political science from MIT, as well as an MPA in environmental science and policy from Columbia University's School of International & Public Affairs and the Earth Institute.

Stokes' research focuses on public policy, public opinion, and political behavior, particularly in the areas of energy, environment, and climate change. Her academic work has appeared in journals such as American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, British Journal of Political Science, Nature Energy, Energy Policy, and Environmental Science & Technology. Within American politics, she examines representation, public opinion, voting behavior, and public policy, with an emphasis on state-level dynamics. In environmental politics, her research addresses climate change, renewable energy, water, and chemicals policy. Stokes' findings indicate that electrification can significantly reduce carbon emissions, improve public health, bolster the economy, enhance grid resilience, and mitigate the impacts of weather-related disasters.

Stokes is the author of the book "Short Circuiting Policy" (Oxford University Press), which analyzes the influence of utilities on climate denial and clean energy legislation. The book has received multiple awards, including recognition from the American Energy Society and the American Political Science Association, and was listed as a Top 5 Climate Book by The New York Times. She also contributed to the anthology "All We Can Save." Her book "The Carbon Wave: A Story of Democracy, Parenthood, and the Race to Protect Our Planet" (MIT Press) explores the legislative journey of the Inflation Reduction Act from its roots in the Green New Deal. Stokes has held a fellowship at Harvard University's Radcliffe Institute, where she worked on federal climate policy research.

Stokes has discussed her involvement in the passage of environmental legislation and is a key participant in the 2035 Initiative, a collaborative project that develops strategies to reduce climate pollution and strengthen community resilience. She co-hosts the podcast "A Matter of Degrees" with Katharine Wilkinson, focusing on the drivers of climate change and potential solutions. Her commentary and analysis have been published in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Atlantic.

Stokes has been recognized for her contributions to climate science communication and higher education, receiving the Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication and the Energy Thought Leader Award from the American Energy Society. She has been included on the Forbes Sustainability Leaders list, the TIME100 Next list, and the Business Insider Climate Action 30 list. Stokes also received the Harold J. Plous Award from the University of California, Santa Barbara for achievement in research, teaching, and service.

BOOK Leah Stokes

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/17/2026.

Leah Stokes Videos

Leah Stokes - The Future is Electric | Bioneers 2023

Leah Stokes - The Future is Electric | Bioneers 2023

A massive influx of clean energy investments is poised to transform the American economy during this decade. Opportunities abound to take advantage...

Leah Stokes: What can individuals do to protect their rights?

Leah Stokes: What can individuals do to protect their rights?

Leah Stokes, Anton Vonk Associate Professor of Environmental Politics, University of California – Santa Barbara, predicts that recent Supreme Court...

  • How do I book Leah Stokes to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Leah Stokes for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Leah Stokes, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Leah Stokes or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Leah Stokes

    Speaking fees for Leah Stokes, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Leah Stokes are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Leah Stokes, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Leah Stokes speak about?

    Leah Stokes is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Climate Change, Energy, Environmental Activism, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Government, Influential Women, Professors
  • Where does Leah Stokes travel from?

    Leah Stokes generally travels from Santa Barbara, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Leah Stokes’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Leah Stokes for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Leah Stokes for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Leah Stokes or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Leah Stokes is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Leah Stokes for your event is available upon request. Leah Stokes generally travels from Santa Barbara, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Andrew Behar, Martin Keller, Bob Kopp, Mary Anne Hitt and Monica Araya. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Leah Stokes for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP