Current Research

The SPEAR⁴ Lab is undertaking multiple research efforts, led by faculty and staff, graduate students, and undergraduates. To learn about prior or completed research efforts, see here.

Graduate Research

Hunting for Sustainability

Led by PhD candidate Francine Barchett, Hunting for Sustainability works on several overlapping projects at the intersections of hunting, food security, conservation, and community wellbeing, both in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally. Read more.

Ecological Identity in Nepal

Led by Jessie Hughes, this research frames ecological identity as a social mechanism of resilience, and examines the role of humans in enhancing resilience within social-ecological systems undergoing rapid change. Read more.

 

Undergraduate Research

Interested in having a place here? Send an email to kgtidball@cornell.edu to discuss Cornell Honors Program, Laidlaw Scholars Program, or other opportunities!

 

Faculty & Staff Research

EcoRx

EcoRx is a hybrid theoretical, applied research and extension suite of efforts all having do do with identifying and addressing “root causes” of  Earth’s  grand challenges (Anthropogenic Climate Volatility, Biodiversity Loss, and Habitat Degradation). This “spotlighting” of root causes involves the exploration and interrogation of worldview problems that exacerbate exploitation and waste, while reinforcing ecological amnesia, ecological disenfranchisement, loss of ecological identity, etc.  The program seeks to locate pathways and portals away from these pathologies leading to eco-anxiety and into more harmonious, relational orientations with the rest of nature. Read more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woods & Water Prescription

The Woods & Water Prescription, and outgrowth of EcoRx, is a program that encompasses a suite of related initiatives, all dealing with the therapeutic attributes of recreational time spent outdoors, especially for those who have experienced trauma such as combat-wounded veterans. Read more.

Food Motivations for Hunting & Angling

This long term research project focuses on empirically interrogating three spheres of food motivations in hunting and angling- Food ethics, Nutrition and Health, and Culinary Quality and Adventurous Eating.  Read more.

Cultural Meanings and Social Acceptance of Hunting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hunting has been a part of the human story for millions of years, yet in comparatively very recent times, factions of Homo sapiens have been busy attempting to obliterate this fact. This area of inquiry explores implications of loss of hunting heritage, as well as  opportunities for reframing and reifying hunting as necessary ecological, biocultural and social expressions. Read more.

Pools of Persistence

Pools of Persistence is a multidisciplinary project in collaboration with Trout Power , Trout Unlimited and Great Camp Sagamore to explore and document the power of citizen science to not only reinforce the resilience of Adirondack brook trout, but to reify the human experience as a part of, not separate from or in conflict with, the rest of Nature. Read more.

Climate, Hunting & Angling, and Science Exchange

While climate science becomes increasingly more accessible, the climate change discourse becomes evermore polarized.  Given the relatively conservative views of many hunters and anglers, where do hunters and anglers turn for information about climate change that is relevant to their hobbies and passions?  Would hunters and anglers utilize an information clearinghouse and library on hunting/fishing/trapping relevant climate change content?  The Climate, Hunters & Anglers, and Science Exchange will serve as a platform for answering these and other related questions. Read more.