SC&I Ph.D. Student Chaeyeong (Margo) Lee Named NJEDA Clean Energy Fellow
SC&I doctoral student Chaeyeong (Margo) Lee, whose research focuses on communication, risk, and energy infrastructure, has been selected as a Graduate Fellow in the 2026-2027 Rutgers New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Clean Energy Fellowship Program. As a NJEDA Clean Energy Fellow, Lee will conduct research with her advisor, SC&I Professor of Communication Matthew Weber.
“I am honored to be a part of the program and contribute meaningful work to New Jersey’s statewide initiative of expanding clean energy,” Lee said. “During a time when energy demand soars and how we meet that demand remains contested, I believe communication plays a pivotal role in how we negotiate our shared energy future. As a fellow, I hope to produce research that informs how risks and uncertainties surrounding energy infrastructures are communicated to affected communities in New Jersey and supports the safe, efficient, and inclusive implementation of energy policy.”
The fellowship is supported by funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to advance interdisciplinary student research and workforce development in clean energy-related fields.
Working with Weber, Lee will use a mixed-method approach to examine how information about nuclear energy and data centers is shared at the local level.
“This research will offer insight into the local information infrastructures through which communities learn about and engage with energy development,” Lee said.
As a fellow, Lee will also examine state and municipal energy regulations to assess how public input is incorporated into decision-making and identify gaps in participation. Together, Lee said, “these efforts aim to guide communication and policy practices that enable communities to participate in decisions affecting them while supporting safe and efficient infrastructure development.”
One critical issue Lee will address during her fellowship is the rapid expansion of AI, which is accelerating mass data center buildouts and increasing energy demand, raising concerns among communities across the U.S.
“A key policy challenge arises when projects proceed under existing zoning rules without opportunities for public input—a ‘by-right shock’ that can leave residents feeling excluded from siting decisions,” Lee said. “A communication perspective can help explain how communities learn about these projects, how exclusion affects public trust, and how policy can better connect infrastructure development with community participation. I hope the findings from this research will help policymakers identify trusted local information sources, respond to community concerns early, and create accessible opportunities for public input as New Jersey advances its clean energy goals.”
Lee became interested in applying for the fellowship through her work as a graduate assistant to Weber. She has been working on a Department of Energy-funded project with the Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP) since her first year in the Ph.D. program.
I hope to continue identifying equitable pathways for democratic governance that ensure communities are heard and included in decision-making processes while enabling timely energy and infrastructure development.
Chaeyeong (Margo) Lee
“While conducting research at legacy nuclear sites across the U.S., examining how community members and stakeholders seek reliable information sources in today’s complex information landscapes, I naturally developed an interest in how information about technological risk and uncertainty circulates locally and informs public attitudes toward institutions and emerging technologies,” Lee said.
The NJEDA Clean Energy Fellowship Program will be an important step to help her reach her career goals, Lee added. “I hope to continue identifying equitable pathways for democratic governance that ensure communities are heard and included in decision-making processes while enabling timely energy and infrastructure development.”
As a NJEDA Clean Energy Fellow, Lee will join a Rutgers cohort of six other fellows and become part of a statewide network that includes graduate fellows from Rowan University, Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Kean University, Princeton University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Seton Hall University.
She will also attend NJEDA-sponsored professional development events, workshops, and networking opportunities throughout the fellowship period, which runs from October 2026 through August 2027.
“I am excited to connect with fellows across disciplines and learn from their diverse perspectives. I also look forward to building relationships with policymakers, industry professionals, and community leaders across New Jersey’s energy ecosystem,” Lee said.
Learn more about the Ph.D. Program at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information.
