THE HUMAN ELEMENT LAB

EXPLORE THE HUMAN ELEMENT

If your goal is conservation, start with people.

T.H.E. Lab views natural resources management and conservation through the lens of human behavior and social process. We produce actionable research from rigorous psychological, sociological, and behavioral sciences inquiry that uses quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods to explore the nature of and reasons for environmentally-significant behavior. We contribute to management and conservation via insights into behavioral trends, social processes, and socio-ecological patterns.

Kenneth E. Wallen, PhD

Associate Professor

University of Idaho

Department of Natural Resources and Society

Idaho Department of Fish and Game

kwallen@uidaho.edu | kenneth.wallen@idfg.idaho.gov

CONCEPTUAL

APPROACH

Theory is essential to explore the relationships between society and natural resources.

We use social norms and institutions as central concepts; cognitive, structural, procedural, technological are central frames.

APPLIED

APPROACH

Principles from psychology, sociology, and the behavioral sciences in real-world contexts.

We collaborate with partners like IDFG and PAG for expertise to investigate behavioral trends and social processes.

ACTIONABLE

APPROACH

Problem-oriented questions useful and relevant to governments, organizations, and publics.

We influence individual, public, and private sector actions, decisions, and policies via rigorous empirical research.