Culture and the Environment
My research examines the sociocultural foundations of land use in rural communities, focusing on how people justify rangeland-management practices and how these justifications shape conservation efforts.
Rural Change
I examine how shifting cultural values, economic pressures, and environmental priorities reshape relationships to land. In particular, I study the transition from Old West to New West communities, focusing on the effect on agricultural producers, tribal communities, and conservation practitioners.
Morality
I examine the moral foundations of land use, focusing on how different actors justify their practices and assert claims to land and resources. I extend rural sociologists’ understanding of morality’s role in rural environmental land conflicts. Understanding these moral narratives can present areas for future collaboration.