Directory - Jessica Leahy
Assistant Professor of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
241 Nutting Hall Orono, ME 04469-5755
(207) 581-2834; fax (207) 581-2875
jessica.leahy@maine.edu
- Ph.D. University of Minnesota (2005)
- M.S. Oregon State University (2001)
- Honors B.S. Oregon State University (1999)
I was born and raised in Alaska, adjacent to the second largest state park in the United States. As a result, I’ve always been curious about the connection between humans and forests. I research environmental attitudes and behaviors towards forests, forestry, and other natural resource management topics using a social psychology and communication approach. I tend to study four populations: outdoor recreationists, forest landowners, natural resource managers, and the “general public.” My research program encompasses the role of social capital and trust in public involvement, participation, and citizen science; forest landowner decision-making processes; and influence of media and educational campaigns on attitudes and behavior.
