"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 investigates 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 for the Program in Science Learning as a part time lecturer in environmental education and science communication. I have co-taught Informal Science Education and independently taught Environmental Education and Communication at Rutgers University. Additionally, I mentor undergraduate students in a variety of research areas from evolutionary biology research with Lake Malawi cichlids to urban restoration and science communication research.
This cichlid wet lab is maintained by the Program in Science Learning for undergraduate research experience. Our goals for student research in this lab are to develop disciplinary specific research techniques, gain experience in the scientific process, and develop critical thinking skills as scientists. Students who have worked in the cichlid lab have come from many different disciplinary backgrounds and level of research experience. I have worked with students from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences honors program as well as local community college students interested in participating in research. Some students in the cichlid lab have done a senior honors research thesis and gone on to publish papers on their 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 investigates 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 for the Program in Science Learning as a part time lecturer in environmental education and science communication. I have co-taught Informal Science Education and independently taught Environmental Education and Communication at Rutgers University. Additionally, I mentor undergraduate students in a variety of research areas from evolutionary biology research with Lake Malawi cichlids to urban restoration and science communication research.
This cichlid wet lab is maintained by the Program in Science Learning for undergraduate research experience. Our goals for student research in this lab are to develop disciplinary specific research techniques, gain experience in the scientific process, and develop critical thinking skills as scientists. Students who have worked in the cichlid lab have come from many different disciplinary backgrounds and level of research experience. I have worked with students from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences honors program as well as local community college students interested in participating in research. Some students in the cichlid lab have done a senior honors research thesis and gone on to publish papers on their research.
