"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." -William Arthur Ward
My research interests broadly focus on socio-ecological issues in urban ecosystems and the public perceptions of and interactions with authentic science in these systems. There is enormous opportunity for members of urban communities to engage with ecological science not just for the benefit of the community, but as a benefit to the environment as well. Research of outcomes on existing public participatory programs (citizen science) show that engaging individuals in authentic science increases knowledge about ecology, support for scientific research, and can lead to improved resource management decision making. Unfortunately, urban socio-ecological systems are not often the focus of public participatory science programs or even traditional ecological research.
Within these public participatory research programs I am particularly interested in, how, why, and when individuals of various backgrounds participate and meaningfully contribute to scientific projects. Additionally, what the outcomes are of these mutually beneficial partnerships between the public and scientists. To address these questions I have used a variety of tools through interdisciplinary collaborations including conceptual modeling with stakeholders and extensive survey work. I am particularly interested in the role of individual beliefs about science in citizen science research and informal learning through cooperative research projects.
While my research interests and body of work is very broad, my dissertation research investigated the effect of framing in various public participatory platforms on participant outcomes in these scientific projects. Specifically, how does our communication surrounding ecological issues in these citizen science programs effect how participants interact and make decisions about their natural world.
Teaching and Mentoring
I am also passionate about teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate level. I currently teach at the School of Natural Resources at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I am one of the instructors for a large freshman course called SCIL 101- Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World. I am also teaching an upper-level research focused course for Natural Resource majors, Nebraska CANID Project (NRES 498).
I have also taught for a number of years for the Program in Science Learning at Rutgers University as a part time lecturer in environmental education and science communication. There, I co-taught Informal Science Education and independently taught Environmental Education and Communication courses for undergraduates of all levels. Additionally, I mentored undergraduate students in a variety of research areas from evolutionary biology research with Lake Malawi cichlids to urban restoration and science communication research.
Within these public participatory research programs I am particularly interested in, how, why, and when individuals of various backgrounds participate and meaningfully contribute to scientific projects. Additionally, what the outcomes are of these mutually beneficial partnerships between the public and scientists. To address these questions I have used a variety of tools through interdisciplinary collaborations including conceptual modeling with stakeholders and extensive survey work. I am particularly interested in the role of individual beliefs about science in citizen science research and informal learning through cooperative research projects.
While my research interests and body of work is very broad, my dissertation research investigated the effect of framing in various public participatory platforms on participant outcomes in these scientific projects. Specifically, how does our communication surrounding ecological issues in these citizen science programs effect how participants interact and make decisions about their natural world.
Teaching and Mentoring
I am also passionate about teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate level. I currently teach at the School of Natural Resources at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I am one of the instructors for a large freshman course called SCIL 101- Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World. I am also teaching an upper-level research focused course for Natural Resource majors, Nebraska CANID Project (NRES 498).
I have also taught for a number of years for the Program in Science Learning at Rutgers University as a part time lecturer in environmental education and science communication. There, I co-taught Informal Science Education and independently taught Environmental Education and Communication courses for undergraduates of all levels. Additionally, I mentored undergraduate students in a variety of research areas from evolutionary biology research with Lake Malawi cichlids to urban restoration and science communication research.