Human Dimensions Lab
We study human attitudes and behaviors related to forest ecosystems, as well as a wide range of ecosystem services that contribute to human well-being. We work on a variety of natural resource contexts including forestry, wildfires and other natural disasters, water, and climate change.
Our research projects build conceptual and theoretical frameworks combined with empirical observations, data analyses and modeling and respond to urgent policy and management needs for a wide array of policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders.
Research areas include but are not limited to:
- Community adaptation to environmental risks
- Community resilience adaptation and planning
- Collaborative resource management
- Human-forest interactions
- Natural resource sociology
- Public involvement
- Recreation
- Science-policy interface and science coproduction
- Wildfire social science
Primary contacts
Catrin Edgeley, Assistant Professor
Email: catrin.edgeley@nau.edu
Phone: (928) 523-7347
NAU profile
Google Scholar
Personal website
ResearchGate
PO Box 15018
School of Forestry
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Cat Edgeley conducts research about the human dimensions of forestry, focusing predominantly on wildfire social science. This includes exploring the diversity of ways in which communities adapt to wildfire and its associated risks, social dimensions of post-fire recovery, evacuation planning and behaviors, and community experiences with forest management and policy.
Alark Saxena, Assistant Professor
Email: alark.saxena@nau.edu
Phone: (928) 523-6642
NAU profile
Google Scholar
PO Box 15018
School of Forestry
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Alark’s primary interests are in poverty alleviation, sustainability of natural resources and developing resilient communities. Alark uses an interdisciplinary approach to environmental problem solving. He has used a systems approach for developing novel techniques to evaluate resilience of local communities and model relationships between forests landscapes and rural communities.
Currently, Alark is working on measuring resilience of flood affected communities between India and Nepal, evaluating the impact of tourism on the natural and social systems in Sagarmatha National Park in Mt. Everest region in the Himalayas and developing an integrated landscape and livelihood management decision support system for forests in Turkey and India. Recently, Alark’s team has been awarded a 3 year long NASA project for identifying vulnerable communities living across Himalayas in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Current members Accordion Closed
- Cara Caruolo, Ph.D.
- Wills DeGrandpre, M.S.
- Amanda Busco, M.S.
- Cole Brant, M.S.
Former graduate students (and current position) Accordion Closed
- Jack Burnett, Ph.D. 2024. Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University.
- Sarah Devenport, M.S. 2024. Social Science Research Assistant, Ecological Restoration Institute
- Scott Franz, M.S. 2023. Research Assistant, ReShape project, Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes
- Hayden Jorde, M.F. 2023. WeedWise Technician, Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District, Oregon
- Noah Haarmann, M.S. 2023. Smoke jumper, US Forest Service
- Ernawati Apriani, M.S. 2019. World Wildlife Fund for Nature – Indonesia
- Dyah Puspitaloka, M.S. 2018.Center for International Forestry Research
- Andika Putraditama, M.S. 2018. World Resource Institute
- Ryan Fitch, Ph.D. 2016. Assistant Professor of Practice, The W. A. Franke College of Business, Northern Arizona University
- Jessica DeShazo, Ph.D. 2014. Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science. Cal State LA
- Tong Wu, M.S. 2011. Doctoral candidate, Arizona State University
- Evan Hjerpe, Ph.D. 2008. Executive Director, Conservation Economics
- Adcharaporn Pagdee, Ph.D. 2005. Professor, Khon Kaen University. Thailand
- Gustavo Perez-Verdin, Profesor, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, CIIDIR Durango, Mexico
Opportunities in the lab
Prospective students interested in conducting research on the human dimensions of forestry should contact Dr. Edgeley or Dr. Saxena via email to discuss available opportunities. Prospective graduate students should include a C.V. or resume and specify their research interests.