Javier E. Otero Peña
Phd, MSc, MPhil
01About
I’m a public space researcher and sustainability consultant based in Barcelona, Spain. I hold a PhD in Environmental Psychology from the City University of New York, where I spent years studying how people relate to public spaces, working at the intersection of public health, urban environmental justice, and digital humanities. I am a versatile jack-of-all-trades and have led climate and energy policy efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean, working for the Clean Lighting Coalition and the United Nations Environment Programme. I have taught courses in sustainability and GIS, and I speak fluently Spanish, English, and French.
02Experience
Universitat Internacional de Catalunya • Barcelona, Spain • 2025 — present
Postdoctoral Researcher
Conducting research on societal resilience and public spaces.
CUNY School of Public Health • New York City, USA • 2018 — 2025
Research Associate
Conducted research on parks in low-income neighborhoods in New York City, focusing on correlates of park use, urban environmental justice, and place attachment. Developed the GIS database for the Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) Study of the Center for Systems and Community Design.
Clean Lighting Coalition • Washington DC, USA • 2021 — 2023
Regional Lead, GRULAC Region
Coordinated actions in Latin America and the Caribbean to advance the campaign to end the use of mercury in lighting products. Contributed to reaching global agreement to phase-out of fluorescent lamps by 2027, in the framework of the UN Minamata Convention on Mercury.
United Nations Environment Programme • Paris, France, and Bogota, Colombia • 2011 — 2015
Energy and Climate Consultant
Acted as liaison of the UNEP en.lighten initiative for the Americas and the Caribbean. Conducted research on the involvement and preparedness of public and private sector in Colombia for Green Climate Fund initiatives. Supported partner countries in the Latin America and Caribbean in adopting National and Regional Efficient Lighting Strategies to phase out inefficient, incandescent lamps. Co-authored a Guidebook on the Development of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) on Lighting.
Fundación PlazaFest • Caracas, Venezuela • 2003— 2010
Director
Founded and led a non-profit organization that organized live music and artistic events in neglected and underused public spaces to foster their use, build a sense of belonging,
03Education
City University of New York • NYC, USA • 2024
PhD in Environmental Psychology
Institut Catholique de Paris • Paris, France • 2012
Master in Environmental Policies and Sustainable Development
04Talk to me
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas you would like to share with me:
javier [at] javo01.com
+34 613 087 888
+1 917 346 7153
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