Dustin teaches in the Environmental Studies Department at San Jose State University, one of the first six interdisciplinary environmental studies programs in the USA, founded as a result of the first Earth Day 1970. His research focuses on the social and environmental dimensions of food and energy systems where he researches questions about innovation, emerging technologies and environmental change. His research on solar energy commodity chains is synthesized in his new book entitled Solar Power, Innovation, Sustainability, and Environmental Justice with the University of California Press.