Lauren Persha

Ph.D., Department of Geography / Curriculum for the Environment & Ecology

CPC Office: 501 CPC East
CPC Phone Number: (919) 966-2154

Campus Office: Saunders Hall
Campus Phone Number:

Dr. Persha's research focuses on the intersection of natural resource conservation, human welfare and environmental governance in human-dominated forested landscapes in the low-income tropics, and particularly in East Africa. She is interested in developing a better understanding of the roles that key ecological, institutional, socio-economic, population and policy drivers play in explaining variations in the trajectories of linked social and ecological systems. Her broader objective is to produce work that is useful for informing the design and more appropriate targeting of evidence-based policies for improved rural livelihoods and the sustainability of natural resources. The social aspects of her research draw on household welfare and governance data collected in villages, as well as broader demographic, social network, migration and related population variables.

Information updated on 9/7/2012