Aaron J. M. Russell

Aaron J. M. Russell is a social scientist conducting applied research related to the development of adaptive natural resource institutions. Presently, he is developing and managing research projects on forest and coastal zone governance and climate change adaptation in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Russell received BSc degrees in forestry and wildlife management, and ecology from Virginia Tech, after which he embarked on a range of research projects related to wildlife ecology: capercaillies and foxes in the Alps, badgers in the Baltic, black bears and fish in Appalachia, sea turtles in Costa Rica, and scatology. Russell completed a PhD in the human dimensions of fisheries and wildlife management at Michigan State University and since then his research has focused on understanding livelihoods and institutional contexts associated with a range of natural resource management situations throughout Africa.

Current position

Scientist, Forests and Livelihoods Programme

Research theme

Climate change adaptation

Research interest

Adaptive collaborative management, organisational learning, ecosystem-based adaptation, action research, decentralisation, power, gender, impact assessment

Languages

English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chichewa