Understanding the interactions between social and ecological systems
Our department was an early leader in conservation social science and policy, recognizing more than a half century ago the need to incorporate social science into the study of natural resources and the environment. Our leadership in this area continues to enable an integrated approach to understanding interactions between social and ecological systems.
We encompass a range of specialties, including governance, institutional strategies, human dimensions, environmental sociology, and environmental education. Our work explores interactions between human communities and environmental resources, drivers and impacts of change on social-ecological systems, stakeholder attitudes, values, and behaviors, community engagement in stewardship, the role of governmental and non-governmental institutions in the conservation and management of resources, and the formulation and effects of natural resource and environmental policies and practices.
We frequently collaborate with ecologists in our department as well as faculty in a variety of disciplines across campus. We strive to ensure that our work is informed by theory and can be applied to address real-world problems, working closely with external partners so that our products will be used by practitioners and decision makers.
Affiliated Faculty
Adjunct Professor
Natural Resources and the Environment
Adjunct Professor
Department of Global Development
- (607) 255-2149
- srb237 [at] cornell.edu
Professor Emeritus
Natural Resources and the Environment
- djd6 [at] cornell.edu
Professor
Natural Resources and the Environment
- (607) 255-9757
- ksk28 [at] cornell.edu
Professor
Natural Resources and the Environment
- (607) 255-6887
- barbara.knuth [at] cornell.edu
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
Natural Resources and the Environment
- (607) 255-2827
- mek2 [at] cornell.edu
Professor Emeritus and Graduate School Professor
Natural Resources and the Environment
- (607) 564-7258
- lassoie [at] cornell.edu
Director, Center for Conservation Social Sciences, and Senior Research Associate
Natural Resources and the Environment
- (607) 254-2892
- TBL3 [at] cornell.edu
Professor and Chair
Natural Resources and the Environment
- (607) 255-9729
- rcs6 [at] cornell.edu
Assistant Director
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Senior Extension Associate
Natural Resources and the Environment
- (607) 254-5479
- kgtidball [at] cornell.edu
Associate Professor
Natural Resources and the Environment
- saw44 [at] cornell.edu