Currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Virginia Tech, Dr. Bhatti’s research examines how networked technologies shape risk communication, trust, and collective action through a justice-centered, cross-cultural framework. Using mixed methods, she advances socio-environmental just transformation by promoting media and data literacy to strengthen public engagement with science, support evidence-based policy, and build coalitions for systemic change.

She has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship (2016-2018), Outstanding Ph.D Scholar for Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (2022), Career Champion Award (2023), and Graduate Student Associations’ Excellence in Research Award (2022) for her research in environmental resources. As an environmental photojournalist, her work was also one of 75 selected from 50,000 worldwide submissions for exhibition at the UN’s 75th Anniversary on ‘The World We Want.’ (2020)

Research Experience

7 Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts, 5 Book Chapters/Sections

35+ Conferences and Invited Talks

$118,650 in Grants, Fellowships, and Awards

Teaching Experience

10 years, 9 courses taught, 200+ students reached

2 courses designed

4.79/6 SPIA 4464 Teaching evaluation praising energy, real-world examples, and an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Service and Public Engagement

6 years in Non-Profit Management and Environmental Photojournalism

5 Committees, 2 Student Organizations Lead