My research interests are on the intersection of conservation policy and rural livelihoods. Drawing on political ecology, science and technology studies (STS), and theories of agrarian change I seek to explain how conservation policy is formed and implemented, and the effects it has on land use and the livelihoods of small farmers. I mostly work in Costa Rica, but I also have ongoing research in Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and have conducted research in Honduras. Most of my empirical work is centered on “market based” conservation policies such as carbon offsets and ecosystem service payments. I employ a variety of methods, and I have used a combination of quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, archival work, textual analysis, remote sensing, GIS, and ethnography.
