Elise Otto

Elise Otto is a PhD student in the School of Geography, Development and Environment and is a member of the Financial Borderlands Research Group run by Dr. Mark Kear. Her research examines how the experiences of manufactured housing residents are shaped by federal hazard policy, gentrification, and land use planning. Elise holds a Masters degree in Earth Sciences from Montana State University, where she examined the commuting experiences of laborers in the resort town of Big Sky, Montana, and a BA in Geology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. She is from Spokane, Washington. Before returning to school she worked as a wilderness ranger, a Grand Canyon river guide, a facilitator and project manager.

Elise’s research examines how the experiences of manufactured housing residents are shaped by federal hazard policy, gentrification, and land use planning.