As Professor of Natural Resource Policy and Management and Associate Director of the Center for Conservation Social Sciences in the Department of Natural Resources, Barbara Knuthâs current research examines risk perception, communication and management focused on fisheries affected by chemical contaminants; ecosystem-based management approaches for Great Lakes and marine systems; and factors influencing human stewardship and use of natural resources, particularly fish and wildlife. As Dean of the Graduate School, she oversees graduate education at Cornell.
Research Focus
As Professor of Natural Resource Policy and Management and Associate Director of the Center for Conservation Social Sciences in the Department of Natural Resources, Knuth oversees a research program focusing on topics related to the social science and policy dimensions of ecosystem-based management in Great Lakes and marine systems, risk communication and management associated with chemical contaminants in fish, and environmental stewardship particularly related to fish and wildlife resources. Through theory-development and empirical studies, her research program advances understanding and practice related to conservation social sciences, particularly related to fisheries and wildlife resources and their management, and aims to foster integration of social science and natural/physical science information within natural resource management and policy decision making processes.
Outreach and Extension Focus
Outreach activities focus primarily on advising state, national, and international environmental and natural resource management agencies and scientific organizations on issues related to her areas of research expertise, and on planning and decision-making processes.
Teaching Focus
Before Knuth assumed her current administration position, she used to teach an experiential course in environmental and natural resource policy processes, NTRES 4300. The course requires students to design, conduct, and complete a relatively independent policy analysis research project. The course is by application only, and engages students through guided policy analysis research projects and use of case study presentations, including a residential component in Washington, D.C.
Additional Links
Awards and Honors
- Distinguished Member (2011) National Society of Collegiate Scholars