NEXUS-Wild
Network for Exploring Social Understanding of Wildlife

Picture by: Luiz Felipe Mendes.

Background

It is widely acknowledged that people must be considered when conserving and managing biodiversity, as the issues conservation aims to address often stem from human practices rather than wildlife or their habitats. Therefore, understanding the human dimension of conservation is crucial to solving these problems. Despite the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, social science has not been fully integrated into conservation practices. This is largely because many biologists and ecologists are often skeptical of social science and what it can bring, largely because they are unfamiliar with how to apply it or what it can achieve. As conservationists become more familiar with social science and incorporate values like equity and justice into conservation goals, the need for social science becomes clear. A growing demand for socially equitable conservation that benefits both biodiversity and human well-being further highlights the importance of integrating social science.

This is why creating a social science working group is crucial. Such a group would help bridge the gap between ecological and social science, offering support and guidance on how to apply social science effectively. By fostering collaboration among researchers, educators, managers, and decision-makers, the working group can ensure that social science is fully integrated into conservation efforts, allowing for more sustainable, socially equitable outcomes that benefit both biodiversity and the communities involved.

Aim

This working group is dedicated to advancing the integration of social science into wildlife conservation worldwide. By understanding global and local patterns of human-wildlife interactions, translating social science theories into practical conservation applications, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, the group enhances the role of social science in conservation efforts. Through research, capacity building, and collaboration, it provides guidance, resources, and support to conservationists, researchers, and policymakers. By fostering evidence-based strategies, the group promotes coexistence and mitigates conflicts across diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts.

Objectives

Understand emerging local and global patterns that influence human-wildlife interactions.
Explain the theories and frameworks from social science disciplines to different actors to facilitate the use and integration of social science in wildlife conservation and management.
Apply social science research methodologies to assess local perceptions, knowledge, and practices related to human-wildlife conflict and coexistence in different socio-economic and cultural contexts.
Evaluate the effectiveness of social science interventions and strategies designed to promote positive human-wildlife coexistence and reduce conflicts across various communities and landscapes.
Build capacity and knowledge about designing social science research across wildlife conservation.