Liliana Caughman
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Mail code: 4501Campus: Tempe
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Dr. Liliana Caughman is a scholar, community partner, and educator working at the frontlines of environmental and social transformation, rooted in relationalities, culture, and identity.
Their work brings together Indigenous studies, climate justice, and futures -- backed by funded research, policy influence, and a proven commitment to collaboration.
As Director of the Relate Lab, Dr. Caughman leads projects that are grounded in place, story, and relationship. Working alongside collaborators, these initiatives co-create solutions that ethically blend Indigenous and western sciences, and local ways of knowing—producing both tangible impacts and scholarly contributions. From reimagining disaster response to restoring water systems to designing museum exhibits that center story and sovereignty, the work advances knowledge while building tools for justice, resilience, and collective futures.
Recently, Dr. Caughman has been focused on RiverBot, an innovative AI learning technology that embodies relational and decolonial approaches to knowledge. She is also advancing the Whole Body Knowing framework, a theory and practice for integrating cognitive, emotional, and sensory ways of knowing into emerging technologies and education.
Outside of work, Liliana enjoys spending time outdoors exploring the world with her spouse and son, as well as cooking and eating Puerto Rican food as a way connect with her culture and ancestors.
PhD - Earth, Environment, and Society, Portland State University
MS - Environmental Studies, Evergreen State College
BA - Physics, UC Berkeley
AA - Mathematics & Sciences, Santa Barbara City College
