Wald’s Research
Wald’s team interweaves theory from psychology, communication, and public policy to inform two critical areas of study: (1) environmental and agricultural communication and (2) public engagement in natural resource management. The first stream identifies and tests mechanisms and strategies for effective public-facing communication and decision-making. The second stream seeks to understand the causes and consequences of conflict and collaboration over environmental action and policy. Both streams of work are driven by a commitment to maximize the benefits of scientific discovery for people and the environment. Wald’s team is highly interdisciplinary and uses quantitative and qualitative methods. This body of work helps researchers answer foundational questions in communication and public policy: How do cultural and relational realities intersect with and shape individuals’ values, perceptions, and behaviors? How can environmental decision-making processes be designed to balance divergent interests and voices while remaining inclusive and credible?