NYU is hiring two postdocs at the Center for Social Media, AI & Politics: csmapnyu.org/jobs And a grant manager in Sociology with the Social Science Research Hub: uscareers-nyu.icims.com/jobs/15327/g... I'm part of both groups--please share with anyone who is interested!

Phew.

Just a casual mention of our research…in the Atlantic!!

Seeking applicants to a qualitative social science post-doc position - located at Purdue University, but collaborating with me and others on the human dimensions of white-tailed deer and cwd management. www.schooljobs.com/careers/ummi...

"America’s debates over wildlife, especially wolves, are often framed as bitter battles between two entrenched camps... But recent research suggests the story is more complicated—and more hopeful." www.explorebigsky.com/dispatches-f...

Aka, human dimensions.

Big news in the Metcalf house… Today, Libby was officially named Dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana & Director of the Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. More to share in coming days, but I’m just so damn humbled to watch this Wonder Woman!

Good coverage of our human dimensions of wildlife study on the dynamic effects of social identity on attitudes! "Pack Politics: How Political Identity can Twist Perception of Wolves - Study shows that partisan misperceptions about opponents may lead to conflict, even when consensus is possible"

Solid mix of pride and embarrassment to be featured in the inaugural YouTube episode of A New Angle podcast talking about the human dimensions of wolf and wildlife conservation. "The big (bad?) wolf with Dr. Alex Metcalf" www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VZa...

Most Americans actually like wolves, but when researchers reminded people of their political identities, Democrats became more friendly to wolves and Republicans far more opposed. It’s an interesting study in how politics and social identity can fuel partisan polarization. buff.ly/aA10yEP

Ironically on January 6th, we have a new paper out about political identities and how they divide us on the topic of wolves. doi.org/10.1111/cobi...

A couple years back I started to wonder how much of MT is owned by corporate entities, the role of really big properties, & the consequences for public trust wildlife management. Today we published some answers and how things have (and haven’t) changed over the past 20 years:

🚨 New Lab paper! 🚨 Contrary to assumptions & media narratives, most people have positive attitudes toward wolves & are tolerant of them. This is true around the world & even here in MT where 74% of Montanans are tolerant or very tolerant of wolves. 1/ conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Absolute rock star Claire McAtee presenting her senior honors thesis in human dimensions of Wildlife Biology!

Working on 3 sets of page proofs! Really eager to share these results... #HumanDimensions #Wildlife #Wolves #Wolf #privateland #landownership #publictrust #socialidentity #hdw #conservation #endangeredspecies #carnivores

Consider that MT is 40% public land. This means animals are harvested on public land at 150% the rate of private. Thats assuming an even distribution of animals across ownerships - which is false. If we could account for the concentration on private, the rate would be higher.

Spectacular in Missoula, MT right now!!

A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women 🧵

The so-called debunking of “cult psychology” from the recent paper on When Prophecy Fails is misleading. Check out the comments on this thread, where philosophers point out where the key premises of the book replicate in the vast majority of similar cults & a huge replication of dissonance theory.

When I first read this quote years ago it made no sense to me. I wish that hadn’t changed.

Registration is NOW OPEN for the Conservation Marketing (ConsMark) Conference 2025! 🗓️ Date: December 3 & 4 🔗 Register today: lnkd.in/eBbCVZUu #conservation #marketing #conference

Everything in academia just seems to be moving so slowly these days. I’ve complained about journal reviews, but grant announcement and reviews, hiring paperwork, student issues, accounting processes, policy changes … it’s like everything is in quicksand.

🔥 The never-ending narrative… This week, I’ve once again heard prominent climate researchers dismiss individual action as either irrelevant or a distraction instigated by the fossil fuel industry. Here’s a 🧵 on why this argument frustrates me to no end and why I think it misses the bigger picture.

Further robust evidence suggesting green nudges at the individual level are unlikely to make a difference. As we recently suggested, it is time to abandon the prevailing success focus and rather think of this body of evidence as pointing to the many structural constraints people are facing, and

I have a cool new colleague! “UM names endowed chair of forest conservation program” missoulacurrent.com/um-forest-co...

I have four (!) papers that have been in review so long that my mind, energy, and entire lab has moved on yet they still linger waiting for the minor-ist of edits to make their way through the never ending gauntlet of reviewer/AE/editor back and forth checkboxing. Good lord this system is broken.

Multiple funded Ph.D. and Master's positions in my lab. Topics broadly cover climate and agricultural adaptation, and energy & water governance (U.S. & Global South). Apply by Dec 1, 2025. Details: www.sechindravallury.com/graduate-opp... Please share with prospective students!

People across the political spectrum suddenly agree that social media can lead to political violence and online calls for civil war have skyrocketed I explain how social media rewards negativity, division and hostility--and what we can all do about it: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/social-med...

These “America divided” and “Surge of violence” headlines can manifest a reality that doesn’t exist. They’re irresponsible, dangerous, and false. Don’t listen. Here’s a Republican pollster’s take: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/o...

A dynamic that's informed my research seems too relevant today: Democrats & Republicans WAY over-estimate each other's support for violence. Like by 250-400%! The danger is that assuming OTHERS support violence means YOU support more violence. Correcting these false assumptions takes down the tone.

The “Met-ells” Lab’s first MS student Anna Baize absolutely nailing her talk on prioritizing bear attractants using decision science! Pareto frontier! #Pathways2025

Great talk by @danialnayeri.bsky.social on why and when different people support the complicated topic of killing wildlife to achieve conservation outcomes! #Pathways2025

Brianna Lipp, Human Dimensions of Wildlife MS student in the Lab, absolutely CRUSHING her talk on social identity theory in wildlife research at #Pathways2025

As my students know all too well, this is one of my top frustrations. We spend nearly all the time/money figuring out how big the hole is in the side of the ship and trying to convince others we measured right, and nearly none understanding how to rally people to fix the damn hole. Great piece!

My department is hiring an assistant professor of environmental behavioral sciences. The research area is open but we are particularly interested in people with research on collective action or computational social sciences. Happy to answer questions about the Doerr School or the department.

"Scientists and modelers have not merely warned of the #ClimateCrisis - they have also, often unwittingly, contributed to it by reinforcing an uncritical faith in technological salvation & sidelining more structural social transformations" www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Which behaviours help birds most — and can be changed? Activist behaviours (e.g. donating, spreading enthusiasm) rank highest in impact & changeability. A new framework for targeted conservation planning: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #BirdConservation #BehaviourChange

In person written assessments were the only things I could come up with last semester to help students actually learn. A few more ideas in here, but more needed. Please share if you’ve seen!

Good reminder of what LLMs are/aren’t: thebullshitmachines.com

Those of us in STEM must vocally affirm that the humanities are our allies, and no department is expendable. Arguing we can survive by cutting whole disciplines isn’t just inhumane, it’s nonsensical. The humanities tell us why we’re here in the first place, and what to do about it! This isn’t hard!

Early word we'll have funding to recruit a Post-Doc in the Human Dimensions of Wildlife space - specifically working on hunter behaviors in deer management across several midwestern states. On the ground work, experiments, many academic & agency partners! Spread the word to any potential applicants.

I do this (most) every month, ever since my 6th grade teacher - one of my most favorite teachers of all time - introduced me - including this morning!

🍎🧪🎢🧬 Any excuse to share this masterpiece: Mustached Bats Vs The Doppler Effect Congratulations Tom!

Glad my institution has converted nearly every system to Microsoft - the functionality may be questionable but the security is shotty.

Took a hike above Lenk, Switzerland today and I looked over and saw a guide post that talked about Nobel Prize winning political-economist Elinor Ostrom. (Can't wait to add this to my course lecture slides about property rights.)

Living with Tigers in India wounds a lot like living with Grizzlies in Montana. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Kind constructive reviewers are just the best. 📖 ✍🏽

I think the risk of preprints outweigh the benefits, but sometimes I really really really want to share things we’ve found like asap.