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About Me

Name Thien-Kim Bui
Email thienbui@pdx.edu
Full CV available upon request

Research Interests

  • Political ecology, legal geography, critical Indigenous studies, community-based participatory research, water-energy nexus

Education

  • in progress
    Ph.D. candidate Earth, Environment and Society
    Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States
  • 2005
    B.A. Classics
    Reed College, Portland, Oregon, United States

Selected Professional Experience

  • 2024 - current
    Senior Fellow
    National Policy Consensus Center, Portland State University
  • 2022 - 2024
    Graduate Research Assistant
    Dr. Rebecca McLain, National Policy Consensus Center. Portland State University
  • 2024
    Graduate Research Assistant
    Dr. Shane Day, Public Administration, Hatfield School of Government. Portland State University
  • 2023
    Graduate Research Assistant
    Dr. Alida Cantor, Department of Geography. Portland State University
  • 2022
    Graduate Research Assistant
    Dr. Nancee Hunter, Department of Geography. Portland State University
  • 2022
    Graduate Research Assistant
    David Banis, Department of Geography. Portland State University
  • 2021 - 2022
    Graduate Teaching Assistant
    Department of Geography. Portland State University

Fellowships and Awards

  • 2024 - 2027
    • Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Predoctoral Fellowship, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
  • 2024
    • River Scholar, River Field Studies Network
  • 2023
    • Student Service Award, Department of Geography, Portland State University
  • 2022
    • Graduate Rockie Award, Department of Geography, Portland State University
  • 2021
    • Graduate Laurels Award, Department of Geography, Portland State University

Selected Publications

  • 2025
    • Karambelkar, S., Cantor, A., Bui, T., Turley, B., Fischer, M., & Ames, S. Pumped storage hydropower in the United States - Emerging importance, environmental and social impacts, and critical considerations. WIREs Water.
    • Bui, T. & Kelly, S. Collaborative mapping. River Field Studies Network. QUBES Educational Resources.
  • 2024
    • Cantor, A., Bui, T., Boyce, Z., & Farley, J. Working (around/within/against) prior appropriation - Diverse hydrosocial practices to secure water for rivers. Journal of Political Ecology.

Selected Presentations

  • 2025
    • Bui, T., Gaines, K., Banis, D., Feenstra, E., & McLain, R. “Human ecology mapping on the Upper Rogue River - Lessons learned from a community engagement process.” Conference for Advancing Participatory Sciences. Portland, Oregon. [Talk].
    • Bui, T. “Conflict, collaboration, and the commons - On working with and around prior appropriation.” Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting. Detroit, Michigan. [Talk].
  • 2024
    • Bui, T. “Water Infrastructure and Opportunities – Built and Natural”. Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Changing Currents - Tribal Water Summit. Coos Bay, Oregon. [Panel].
    • Banis, D., McLain, R., Bui, T., & Cerveny, L. “Introduction to Mapping with Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS)”. Society for Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting. Santa Fe, New Mexico. [Workshop].
  • 2023
    • Bui, T. “Collaborative cartography as a tool for public engagement.” University Network for Collaborative Governance Annual Retreat. Jackson, Wyoming. [Talk].
    • Bui, T., McLain, R., & Stenovec, M. “Collaborative governance and the formation of hydrosocial territory, Columbia River Basin, United States.” Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado. [Talk].
  • 2022
    • Bui, T., McKinney-Wise, L., & Hunter, N. “Establishing a GIS-Mapping Exchange for public libraries.” Montana Library Association/Pacific Northwest Library Association/Mountain Plains Library Association Tri-Conference. Missoula, Montana. [Talk].

Selected Creative Works

  • 2025
    • Bui, T. & Banis, D. Cut and Paste, co-curator. Department of Geography, Portland State University. Portland, Oregon. [Group exhibition].
  • 2021
    • Bui, T. Shooflies and Psilocybin, movement director and choreographer. Asae Dean, director. Fertile Ground Festival. Portland, Oregon. [Short film].
  • 2019
    • Bui, T. Gambatte - An American Legacy, community ensemble coach and dance captain. Chisao Hata, director. Vanport Mosaic Festival. Portland, Oregon. [Stage performance].

Certifications

  • 2025
    Professional Certificate in Tribal Relations
    Institute for Tribal Government, Portland State University