Meet PLOS Climate Section Editor Angel Hsu

We recently welcomed Angel Hsu, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Environment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a new Section Editor for Policy & Governance at PLOS Climate alongside Anjal Prakash and Elisabeth Gilmore. Here, we ask Angel about her research, what brought her to PLOS Climate, and her ambitions for the journal’s Policy & Governance section.

How did you first become interested in climate and environmental governance?

After my first year of college, I spent a formative summer as a biology major studying insect-plant interactions in the lowland rainforests of Costa Rica. I was blown away by the incredible biodiversity and will never forget the deep, guttural rumblings of howler monkeys waking me up at dawn. When I returned to campus the following Fall semester, I had a nagging feeling that whatever scientific discovery I had made that summer would not matter much if the rainforest no longer existed. And so I paired my studies of biological sciences with an academic pursuit in political sciences, giving me a better understanding of the role of institutions and public policy in addressing environmental issues, including climate change. 

What is the focus of your current research project(s)?

My research group, the Data-Driven EnviroLab, works at the intersection of innovating evidence-based approaches to evaluating environment and climate policy responses and impacts, particularly with respect to subnational and non-state actors. We have several projects where we’re examining multi-level climate governance, and how private and subnational government actors are contributing to global mitigation efforts, including net-zero and decarbonization pledges. I also recently received a grant to design a new center focused on the emergence of generative AI and its impact on non-state climate governance. I’m examining the impact of generative AI tools, such as large-language models and chatbots, on providing benchmarking and accountability mechanisms. While these tools hold great promise for enhancing transparency and effectiveness, they also carry risks, including the potential for spreading misinformation or facilitating greenwashing and non-credible actions.

Why does Open Science matter in your field of research?

The essence of research is to share ideas, foster collaboration, and inspire action. Open Science is crucial to make scientific knowledge accessible to everyone, regardless of institutional affiliation or financial means. When science is locked behind paywalls, it limits the potential for innovation and slows the progress needed to address urgent global challenges, such as the climate crisis. I’ve been particularly encouraged by journals requiring authors to provide open data and code, where possible, which enhances researchers’ ability to build on and scale existing research. It also enhances transparency and reproducibility, which are essential for building trust and driving meaningful, evidence-based action. In a field as impactful as climate science, where the stakes are high, the open exchange of knowledge is not just beneficial—it’s imperative.

What motivated you to join PLOS Climate’s editorial board?

I have long been a fan of PLOS ONE and its commitment to Open Science and Open Access research, so it was a no-brainer to join.   

What kind of research would you be particularly excited to see submitted to PLOS Climate’s Policy & Governance section?

I would be keen to see research that delves into how we govern the emergence of new technologies, particularly AI, in the context of climate governance. Understanding the frameworks and policies needed to guide these innovations is crucial to ensuring that they contribute positively to climate action rather than exacerbate existing challenges (i.e. the Jevons paradox, where the use of these technologies increases rather than decreases energy consumption and our climate footprint).

Do you have a paper to submit to PLOS Climate? Follow our step-by-step guide to the submission process!