Carol D. Saunders
Core Faculty
Environmental Studies
Antioch University New England
40 Avon Street
Keene, NH 3431
USA
Phone: (603) 499-5305
Email: csaunders@antioch.edu
Website: www.conservationpsychology.org
Biographical Statement:
Carol Saunders recently started a part-time position at Antioch University New England, where she will work with graduate students and teach courses related to conservation psychology. Previously she directed the Communications Research and Conservation Psychology department at the Chicago Zoological Society. Under her leadership, the department conducted a wide variety of studies about how people connect to animals and possible links to conservation behavior.
Saunders received a Masters in Psychology from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Biology from Cornell University. For her dissertation, she studied the ecology of cooperative behavior among free-ranging baboons in Amboseli National Park in Kenya. She has been an active member of the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network and looks forward to participating in similar citizen science activities in New England.
Publications related to Conservation Psychology:
Saunders, C. D., Brook, A. T. & Myers, Jr. O. E. (2006). Using psychology to save biodiversity and human well-being. Conservation Biology, 20(3): 702-705.
Rabb, G. B. & Saunders, C. D. (2005). The future of zoos and aquariums: Conservation and caring. International Zoo Yearbook. London, UK: Zoological Society of London.
Dierking, L. D. & Saunders, C. D. (Eds.) (2004). Special issue: Conservation in zoos and aquariums. Curator, 47(3).
Myers, Jr. O. E., Saunders, C. D. & Birjulin, A. (2004). Emotional dimensions of watching zoo animals: An experience sampling study building on insights from psychology. Curator, 47(3), 299-321.
Myers, Jr. O. E., Saunders, C. D. & Garrett, E. (2004). What do children think animals need? Developmental trends. Environmental Education Research, 10(4): 545-562.
Vining, J. & Saunders, C. D. (2004). Conservation psychology. In M.J. Manfredo, J.J. Vaske, D.R. Field, P.J. Brown & B.L.Bruyere (Eds.), Society and Natural Resources: A Summary of Knowledge (pp. 47-58). Jefferson City, MO: Modern Litho.
Myers, Jr. O. E., Saunders, C. D. & Garrett, E. (2003). What do children think animals need? Aesthetic and psycho-social conceptions. Environmental Education Research, 9(3): 305-325.
Saunders, C.D. (2003). The emerging field of conservation psychology. Human Ecology Review, 10 (2): 137-149.
Saunders, C. D. & Myers, Jr. O. E. (Eds.) (2003). Special issue: Conservation psychology. Human Ecology Review, 10 (2).
Myers, Jr. O. E. & Saunders, C. D. (2002). Animals as links to developing caring relationships with the natural world. In P. H. Kahn Jr. & S. R. Kellert (Eds.), Children and nature: Theoretical and scientific foundations (pp. 153-178). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Research Interests:
The language and measurement of connection to nature
How caring relationships with nature develop
The relationship between caring about the natural world and engaging in conservation behavior
The impact of observing animals on conservation knowledge, attitudes, and behavior
Professional Affiliations:
American Educational Research Association, Ecological and Environmental Education SIG
American Psychological Association, Division 34: Population and Environmental Psychology
American Zoo & Aquarium Association, Multi-Institution Research Project - Advisory Board
Chicago Wilderness Social Science Group
North American Association of Environmental Education
Society for Conservation Biology, Social Science Working Group
