Three themes run through Dr. Tonn's research and interests:
These three themes are illustrated in recently published papers and reports on: the health benefits of low-income weatherization; obligations to future generations with respect to existential risks; and, a design for a sustainable suburban subdivision called Willow Pond. All told, Dr. Tonn has authored/co-authored over 300 publications. He is an Associate Editor for the journal Futures and is on the editorial board of Sustainability. Dr. Tonn received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University, a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Northwestern University. He previously held positions at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Recent notable projects and professional activities include:
- Rigorous evaluation of low-income energy and other programs that promote equitable sustainable futures.
- Convergence of science and technology on sustainable designs for community-based, energy, industrial, and other
- Very long-term perspectives of sustainability with explicit concern for the well-being of future generations.
These three themes are illustrated in recently published papers and reports on: the health benefits of low-income weatherization; obligations to future generations with respect to existential risks; and, a design for a sustainable suburban subdivision called Willow Pond. All told, Dr. Tonn has authored/co-authored over 300 publications. He is an Associate Editor for the journal Futures and is on the editorial board of Sustainability. Dr. Tonn received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University, a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Northwestern University. He previously held positions at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Recent notable projects and professional activities include:
- Co-Principal Investigator -- Estimating the health and resilience benefits of improving the energy efficiency of affordable
- Principal Investigator -- Estimating the health and household benefits of weatherizing low-income homes in Knoxville,
- Project Lead -- East Tennessee Opioid Epidemic Foresight Process, funded by the East Tennessee Foundation
- Principal Investigator -- Retrospective and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act period evaluations of the Department
- Co-chair -- National Science Foundation study panel on Societal Benefits and Implications of Converging Knowledge and

