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

Shorna Allred
Shorna Allred

Adjunct Professor

Natural Resources and the Environment

Adjunct Professor

Department of Global Development

Shorna Allred
Conservation social science
Environmental justice
Southeast Asia
Daniel Decker
Daniel Decker

Professor Emeritus

Natural Resources and the Environment

Daniel Decker
  • djd6 [at] cornell.edu
Man in Sweater
Karim-Aly Kassam

Professor

Natural Resources and the Environment

Karim-Aly Kassam
Barbara A. Knuth
Barbara Knuth

Professor

Natural Resources and the Environment

Barbara Knuth
Marianne Krasny
Marianne Krasny

Professor and Director of Graduate Studies

Natural Resources and the Environment

Marianne Krasny
James Lassoie

Professor Emeritus and Graduate School Professor

Natural Resources and the Environment

James Lassoie
Bruce Lauber
Bruce Lauber

Director, Center for Conservation Social Sciences, and Senior Research Associate

Natural Resources and the Environment

Bruce Lauber
Richard C. Stedman
Richard Stedman

Professor and Chair

Natural Resources and the Environment

Richard Stedman
keith tidball headshot
Keith Tidball

Assistant Director

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Senior Extension Associate

Natural Resources and the Environment

Keith Tidball
Steven A. Wolf
Steven Wolf

Associate Professor

Natural Resources and the Environment

Steven Wolf
  • saw44 [at] cornell.edu