Joan Fitzgerald is the Director of the Law, Policy and Society Program at Northeastern University. Previously, Fitzgerald taught urban policy and public affairs at the New School University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Ohio State University.

Her current research project, Emerald Cities, examines how Western cities address global warming, energy dependence and green economic development. The project will culminate in a book by the same name. She has authored and co-authored multiple books and articles.