William san Martín

About William san Martín

William San Martín is an Assistant Professor of Global Environmental Science, Technology & Governance at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. His work integrates Science & Technology Studies (STS), environmental history, and global environmental governance to examine how knowledge systems, institutions, and technologies shape socio-environmental inequalities and policy outcomes —especially across the Global South–North divide.As an interdisciplinary scholar trained in the social sciences and humanities, William studies the intersections of nitrogen biochemistry, agricultural development, climate–agriculture policy, and environmental governance. His research employs historical, archival, and community-based participatory methodologies to understand how knowledge and governance systems shape sustainability transitions and which perspectives gain visibility in decision-making processes.William leads the Global Nitrogen Governance Working Group of the International Nitrogen Network (iN-Net), collaborating with researchers, policymakers, and institutions to strengthen global coordination on nitrogen science and policy. He also serves as an Associate Editor for Contaminants, Environment, and Society and co-leads two major U.S. National Science Foundation projects:(1) Accelerating Coordination across Research and Policy Networks to Halve Nitrogen Waste (AccelNet iN-Net), and (2) Co-Producing Knowledge, Biotechnologies, and Practices to Enhance Biological Nitrogen Fixation for Sustainable Agriculture. He is additionally Principal Investigator of a Climate Social Science Network (CSSN)–funded project examining farmer protests, political resistance, and governance challenges surrounding nitrogen policies across Europe and South Asia.Originally from Chile, William is a former Fulbright Scholar. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of California, Davis, and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Rachel Carson Center for Environment & Society. He is currently an Affiliated Scholar with Brown University’s Climate Social Science Network, a Research Associate at the African Anthropocenes Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, and a Research Fellow with the Earth System Governance Project at Uppsala University.

Experience

1. Affiliated Scholar

   Climate Social Science Network

   May 2024 — Present

Education

• University of California, Davis

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, History

  2011 — 2017

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Postdoctorate, Science & Technology Studies (STS)

  2017 — 2018

• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

  Master of Arts - MA, History

  2007 — 2011

• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, History

  2003 — 2006