Russell Barnett is the Director of the Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development, an interdisciplinary research institute focusing on environmental and sustainability issues. 

An Adjunct Professor in the Honors Program, this semester he has students researching issues being addressed by the Partnership, allowing the students to become involved in issues of concern within the community. 

Prior to coming to the University, he worked at the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection as a Commissioner, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Council of State Governments, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.