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, mixed, and experimental methods to explore the nature of and reasons for environmentally significant behaviors. 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

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CONCEPTUAL

APPROACH

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


We use the cognitive, structural, procedural, technological tetrad as a central frame.

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