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Dr. Shannon Amberg is currently an Assistant Professor of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. Shannon received dual B.S. degrees in Geography and Environmental Studies from Aquinas College (Michigan) in 2000, her M.A. in Environmental Geography with a minor in Conservation Biology from Ohio University in 2002, and her Ph.D. in Natural Resources in the Department of Conservation Social Sciences at the University of Idaho in 2008. Shannon has a strong background in both the biological and social sciences that is due primarily to an epiphany following long hours as a biological field technician and one too many difficult interactions with landowners and other members of the public: “In order to effectively manage or protect biophysical resources and natural landscapes, you have to effectively understand and manage the human elements that are ever-present.”
Shannon joined FNR in August 2008 to play a key role in helping to diversify FNR’s growing area of study in the social aspects of natural resource use and management. Broadly, Shannon’s research interests can be characterized as studying the social psychology of human interaction with the natural landscape. In this sense, she investigates public attitudes, values, and beliefs about the natural environment that surrounds us, how people interact with and utilize various resources (forests, wildlife, fisheries, water, etc.), public opinions regarding management, and how the public perceives and engages the various natural resource issues, both regional and global, that we are faced with in today’s society.
Specifically, Shannon specializes in the applications of communication theory in natural resource management and how communications can be used to build awareness of natural resource issues, encourage involvement in natural resource decisions and management, and stimulate more environmentally responsible and sustainable behaviors and choices. Additionally, her research interests focus on public perceptions and understanding of personal and societal risk (or benefits) regarding various natural resource issues, both regional (e.g., forest management in Indiana) and global (e.g., global climate change and its impacts on society). Shannon’s current research dovetails these two research interests together in an Idaho-Washington investigation of the impacts of media representations on public perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with farm-raised seafood, particularly salmon.