Looking for a job

tanushree Chowdhury

@tanushreechowdhury

Message

I lead urban planning, climate, and energy research that turns community insight into actionable policy and programs.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to lead urban planning, sustainability, climate, energy, and community-centered research that translates rigorous analysis and public engagement into equitable policy and program outcomes.

At Resource Innovation, I lead market transformation, market characterization, and program evaluation research for utility energy-efficiency and decarbonization programs. My work informs building electrification, heat pumps, district geothermal, demand response, commercial refrigeration, and fleet electrification initiatives.

I’ve led mixed-methods research and community engagement across public, private, and nonprofit settings, including work with The Dandelion Philosophy, Water for People, Toxic-Free Future, WWF, Sustainable Seattle, and Enterprise Community Partners. I turn surveys, interviews, focus groups, GIS, and data analysis into recommendations for clients, policymakers, executives, and community stakeholders.

I also led a 20-person multidisciplinary team delivering Kolkata’s five-year infrastructure, land-use, and environmental development plan. As a City of Kirkland Planning Commissioner, I advise on comprehensive planning, land use, zoning, and development regulations.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Advisory Services Consultant

Current

Resource Innovation

Dec 2023 - Present (2 years 9 months)

Lead market transformation, market characterization, and program evaluation research for utility energy efficiency and decarbonization programs. Conduct process evaluations and data analysis for 10 utility-led programs, synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations.

Market Research Program Evaluation Data Analysis Energy Efficiency Decarbonization Heat Pumps Demand Response Qualitative Research Survey Design Client Management ESG Reporting

Research Lead

The Dandelion Philosophy

Mar 2022 - Dec 2023 (1 year 9 months)

Led socio-economic research including surveys, in-depth interviews, and community focus groups for a community development organization. Facilitated public meetings and presented findings to executives, investors, and community leaders.

Survey Design In Depth Interviews Focus Groups Community Engagement Sustainable Agriculture Community Development

Freelance Researcher

Independent

Sep 2014 - Mar 2020 (5 years 6 months)

Delivered mixed-methods research for mission-driven organizations including Water for People, Toxic-Free Future, and WWF. Built interactive GIS maps and analyzed socio-economic data.

Mixed Methods Research GIS Data Analysis Survey Design Data Visualization

Development Fellow

Clean Star Ventures

Jun 2013 - Aug 2014 (1 year 2 months)

Evaluated renewable energy projects using sustainable design principles, life cycle assessment, and supply-chain analysis. Authored the company's Corporate Social Responsibility report.

Renewable Energy Life Cycle Assessment Supply Chain Analysis Sustainability Reporting

Sustainability Researcher

Sustainable Seattle

Jan 2012 - May 2013 (1 year 4 months)

Researched and updated regional sustainability indicators for the Puget Sound region, supporting data-informed planning and policy across local jurisdictions.

Sustainability Indices Research Data Analysis Policy Support

Researcher

Enterprise Community Partners

Aug 2010 - Dec 2011 (1 year 4 months)

Assessed the community impact of affordable low-income housing projects using the IRIS methodology. Interviewed residents, aggregated multi-source datasets, and presented insights using data visualization.

Data Aggregation Data Visualization Interviewing Storytelling

Urban Planner

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Aug 2005 - Aug 2007 (2 years)

Led a 20-person team to prepare the 5-year development plan for infrastructure, land use, and environmental development for Kolkata, India. Mediated between residents and government officials and enabled public participation.

Urban Planning Land Use Planning Team Leadership Mediation

Public Health Researcher

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

May 2005 - Aug 2005 (3 months)

Assessed the impact of UNICEF's polio outreach in India through questionnaire design and surveys of rural communities. Produced a short film on environmental and socio-economic barriers to polio eradication.

Questionnaire Design Survey Research Public Health Film Production

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

School of Planning & Architecture, India

Master of Science, Environmental Planning

MS in Environmental Planning from the School of Planning & Architecture, India.

Nagpur University

Bachelor of Architecture, Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture from Nagpur University, India.

University College London

Certificate, Life Cycle Assessment

Certificate in Life Cycle Assessment from University College London, Executive Education.

State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental Science and Community Planning

PhD in Environmental Science and Community Planning with published research applying GIS, statistical, and ethnographic methods to water policy and land-use questions.