Graduate Research on Emotions and Community Responses to Environmental Challenges on Vancouver Island
Explore how emotions influence community responses to environmental challenges on Vancouver Island. Conduct interdisciplinary, community-based field research focused on climate change, land use, and environmental planning. Collaborate with a team across psychology, ecology, and planning.
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Project Description
Project Overview
This project investigates the role of emotions in shaping individual and community responses to climate change, land-use pressures, and contentious environmental issues on southern Vancouver Island. The research is interdisciplinary, combining environmental planning, social/environmental psychology, landscape ecology, and human-environment relations.
What You Will Do
Graduate students will conduct major research projects within a multi-project research program focused on rural land-use conflict, food security, coastal changes, density and walkability, environmental behaviour, responses to contested environmental issues, and recreation's role in climate adaptation and mitigation. Research will involve fieldwork and community engagement with local organizations.
Expected Outcomes
The research aims to deepen understanding of community and individual environmental decision-making processes influenced by emotions, advancing climate adaptation and resilience strategies. It also seeks to develop applicable insights for environmental planning and policy on Vancouver Island.
Why This Matters
Addressing climate change and environmental challenges requires integrating emotional and social dimensions into planning and policy. The project’s interdisciplinary and community-engaged approach ensures relevance to local communities facing pressing environmental issues on southern Vancouver Island.
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Eligibility
Supervisor Profile
Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Wolfe is a Professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability at Royal Roads University. Her research focuses on environmental psychology, social dynamics of water decision-making, and urban drought resilience. She employs interdisciplinary methods to examine how emotional and social factors mediate environmental behavior and policy responses, making significant contributions to climate response studies.