Establishing a More Meaningful Approach to Field Research in Global Communities
Western researchers who conduct studies overseas are likely familiar with the terms “parachute science” or “colonial science”. Both are defined as scientific work that does not appropriately acknowledge the importance of local expertise. PhD candidate Alida O’Connor wants to ensure her international fieldwork incorporates a more meaningful approach with equitable collaborations integrated into every step in the process.
Future Forests
In this age of the Anthropocene, the pressures of human activity are compelling dramatic shifts in climate and ecosystems that parallel some of antiquity’s most Earth-altering natural disasters. To secure a future for our forests, we will need to adopt new approaches to forest management that incorporate diverse perspectives and adapt to the ever-changing climate.
Master of International Forestry Field School Returns to Quesnel
In partnership with the City of Quesnel and their Forestry Initiatives Program, UBC Forestry hosted its third Master of International Forestry Field School. This year, 16 students and their professors spent two days in Quesnel speaking to land managers, small businesses, government reps from the local First Nations, the municipality, the provincial government, and industry experts.
In the Spotlight: Dr. Juliet Lu
Juliet Lu is an Assistant Professor with both the Faculty of Forestry and UBC’s School for Public Policy and Global Affairs. She is a political ecologist focused on the implications of China’s growing investments in land and other resources in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Wildfires Webinar (Formerly Fires & Floods Webinar)
Do land management practices, such as clearcutting, play a role in devastating floods? What about the role of fire suppression and land management practices in massive wildfires? Our forest dynamics expert Prof. Lori Daniels will discuss some of the forestry practices that are shaping landscapes in BC and how the profession can help mitigate the impact of extreme weather-related events.