Alexandra Thompson
Senior Research Associate and GIS Research Coordinator
Alexandra Thompson is a Senior Research Associate and the GIS Coordinator at RFF and an expert on using spatial data to address environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Her current efforts are focused on understanding national land use and protection pathways for climate transitions and effects of sea level rise on the Chesapeake Bay agricultural economy.
Thompson’s work supports a wide range of resource economics policy areas through geospatial analysis design and interdisciplinary research. With a background in urban and regional planning, Thompson brings expertise in environmental land use planning and engineering of geospatial data relating to land cover, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, habitat, protected areas, climate and weather, hydrography, energy resources, socioeconomics, and agriculture.
Other work includes effects of drought on agriculture, value of remotely sensed information, invasive species monitoring and spread modeling, and minimizing habitat and environmental impacts of renewable energy siting.
As RFF’s GIS Coordinator, Thompson enhances research insights with spatial data science through software engagement, technical support, and information product development.
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Press Release — Jun 17, 2025
New Study Finds Opportunity for Tribally Owned, Utility-Scale Solar Development on Southern Ute Reservation
New research carried out in partnership with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe finds that utility-scale solar development may offer new economic opportunities for the Tribe and its members.
Working Paper — Jun 17, 2025
The Energy Transition for Oil- and Gas-Producing Tribal Nations: Assessing Options for Energy Development with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe
This working paper presents the results of a multiyear collaboration with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe—a major natural gas–producing Tribal Nation that relies heavily on fossil fuel extraction and related infrastructure—to support a just economic and ene
Common Resources — Apr 24, 2025
If/Then: The Slippery Slope of Federal Land Sales
If the US Congress authorizes the sale of federal public lands in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill, then the decision could irreversibly affect the US public land estate—and not solve housing affordability problems as some advocates claim.
Resources Magazine Articles — Oct 7, 2024
Putting Resources for the Future on the Map
The “souvenirs” that RFF researchers bring back from their global travels—new perspectives, knowledge, stories, and photos—show a world of Resources that are out there and worth sharing.
Working Paper — Jun 17, 2025
The Energy Transition for Oil- and Gas-Producing Tribal Nations: Assessing Options for Energy Development with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe
This working paper presents the results of a multiyear collaboration with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe—a major natural gas–producing Tribal Nation that relies heavily on fossil fuel extraction and related infrastructure—to support a just economic and ene
Journal Article — Oct 19, 2023
Modeling Ecological Constraints on a CO2 Pipeline Network
This journal article expands the open-source carbon capture, utilization, and storage model SimCCS to account for the environmental and social impacts of carbon dioxide pipeline siting.
Journal Article — Jun 2, 2023
Partnerships between Organizations That Manage Protected Land in California Are Associated with Groups with Environmentally Oriented Missions
Using data on protected areas from California, United States, this article explores the frequency and extent of partnering between managing land-protection organizations.
Testimony and Public Comments — Mar 8, 2022
Comments on the Development of a Conservation and Stewardship Atlas
Comments to the Department of the Interior on the development of a Conservation and Stewardship Atlas.
Common Resources — Apr 24, 2025
If/Then: The Slippery Slope of Federal Land Sales
If the US Congress authorizes the sale of federal public lands in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill, then the decision could irreversibly affect the US public land estate—and not solve housing affordability problems as some advocates claim.
Resources Magazine Articles — Oct 7, 2024
Putting Resources for the Future on the Map
The “souvenirs” that RFF researchers bring back from their global travels—new perspectives, knowledge, stories, and photos—show a world of Resources that are out there and worth sharing.
Common Resources — Aug 19, 2024
Almost Everything Almost Everywhere All at Once: Why Place-Based Policies Are Not Targeting the Right Places
Place-based policies in the United States aim to provide support to specific locations. Unfortunately, major energy and environmental policies fail to target the places with the most need, diluting the intended benefits and suggesting the need for reform.
Common Resources — Jun 15, 2023
Geeking Out on Geography: Mapping the Effects of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act
The Coastal Barrier Resources Act is a great example of how geographically targeted policy can have spillover effects in neighboring areas. New research from Resources for the Future scholars demonstrates why and how.
Press Release — Jun 17, 2025
New Study Finds Opportunity for Tribally Owned, Utility-Scale Solar Development on Southern Ute Reservation
New research carried out in partnership with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe finds that utility-scale solar development may offer new economic opportunities for the Tribe and its members.
Media Highlight — Aug 20, 2024
Axios: “Wanted: A Better Map for Place-Based Policies”
A blog post by RFF scholars Daniel Raimi, Alexandra Thompson, and Zachary Whitlock about place-based policies is featured in Axios' energy newsletter.
Press Release — Jul 21, 2021
New Study Reveals Key Factors for Estimating Costs to Plug Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
New Study Reveals Key Factors for Estimating Costs to Plug Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
Press Release — Apr 14, 2021
The American Public Is Responsible for Identifying Over a Quarter of New Invasive Species
The American Public Is Responsible for Identifying Over a Quarter of New Invasive Species