Josephine Martell is a public policy professional and social scientist with over 20-years of experience advocating for social equity, implementing public policy, and building cross-sector partnerships in the conservation field and beyond. Her research examines how different ways of strategically framing messages can influence decision-making and subsequent behavior and centers on diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational and community contexts and pressing conservation and climate issues. Josephine’s work focuses on real-life campaigns and social issues in order to provide an immediate impact to the communities she works with.
In her research grants career, she has written and submitted hundreds of federal and foundation grants and maintained a funding success rate between 39-44%. Josephine’s grant experience includes running the Office of Research Development in the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that emphasizes the science of team science (SciTS), leading the research grants program at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, whose work protects mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and overseeing the research grant office at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she focused on the intersection in research between art and design, and science. Josephine has also served two terms as an elected alderperson in the fifth ward on Ithaca City Council and has demonstrated a commitment to public service throughout her life.
Earlier in her career, Josephine worked both nationally and internationally on issues as varied as the international exotic pet trade to reproductive rights for women. Trained and experienced in legislation and policy, she has been a hands-on champion and lobbyist on the front lines of these issues at the state and federal levels. Some of her past projects include relocating big cats from substandard facilities and working on the ground with displaced animals after Hurricane Katrina. She has worked to pass state laws on captive animal issues, women’s reproductive rights, and racial and LGBTQ+ equity, conducted an undercover investigation into poor welfare practices for big cats in captivity, worked closely with federal agencies, drafted federal legislation, and written multiple reports for federal and state legislators. Her media appearances include Animal Planet’s hit mini-series Fatal Attractions, as well as The BBC World News, The Today Show, Larry King Live, and 20/20.
Josephine holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environment, with a concentration in Communication, from Cornell University, a MS in public policy from the Center for Animals and Public Policy at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and a B.A. in Classics from Reed College. Josephine lives in Ithaca with her husband and three children and is an avid trail runner.
