Be Part of Something Greater.
When you study abroad with SFS, you’re contributing to a legacy of environmental research and stewardship. Communities and ecosystems across the globe are dealing with the impacts of climate change, pollution, deforestation, and many other environmental threats. For more than 35 years, our students and faculty have been working to address these issues through focused research efforts.
With twelve Centers around the world, our research covers a spectrum of important environmental issues. SFS programs provide the foundation for students to critically examine today’s environmental issues in an international setting and conduct meaningful, hands-on research in the field. You’ll be working alongside members of our faculty who have expertise in many fields including conservation ecology, environmental policy and ethics, and natural resource management, and the data you collect contributes valuable information to the global body of scientific knowledge.
Our planet is home to an incredible diversity of life, and its future depends on good science and informed policy. Through your research at SFS, you’re becoming part of a greater movement to protect the planet for generations to come.
Directed Research was the most challenging thing I have ever undertaken, but it is a significant personal accomplishment. I have gained a better understanding of myself, what I want in life, and where I am going. I feel better prepared as a burgeoning biologist seeking to study life and ensure its conservation for generations to come.
Daniel Erickson
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Directed Research
A student research project conducted under the direction of a faculty mentor as part of a larger research plan.
Directed Research (SFS 4910) is a 4-credit course that gives you an introduction to conducting scientific research – developing a question, collecting and analyzing data, writing a paper, and presenting your findings. The course is offered on all semester programs, and lasts approximately the last 4-6 weeks of the semester. Recent projects have covered themes such as climate change resilience, elephant ecology, agroforestry, traditional ecological knowledge, food security, coral health, sustainable ecotourism, and water quality.
Ethics: The research our faculty and students conduct complies with the research ethics rules and guidelines in the country in which they are working, and when applicable, permissions are obtained for research on human subjects, animal subjects, and for the extraction of biological samples. Additional vetting for human subjects research is made by the SFS Office of Academic Affairs to ensure standards of ethical practice and protection of subjects are met.
SFS Research by Location
Australia
Rainforest Studies
Location
Yungaburra, Tropical North Queensland; remnant rainforest ecosystems
Research Themes
Rainforest ecology and conservation, Climate change, Habitat restoration ecology, Threatened species conservation, Aboriginal ecotourism, Development and settlement in the rainforest, Rainforest fragmentation and recovery, Forest ecotones, Animal behavior
Central Research Question
How can the future of the Wet Tropics in a changing world be ensured?
Core Skills
GIS use and applications, species identification and population monitoring, forest survey methods, citizen science protocols, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and research presentation.
Bhutan
Climate and Sustainable Futures
Location
Paro Valley; surrounding mountain ecosystems and communities
Research Themes
Terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity assessments, GIS, mountain and forest ecology and conservation, climate change, geology and hydrology of mountain regions, forest and natural resource management, environmental governance, the influence of Buddhist philosophy on conservation, urban migration and development, agriculture and food security.
Central Research Question
How can Bhutan secure its culture, biodiversity, and environment in the face of transition?
Core Skills
GIS and mapping, species identification and distribution mapping, forest and biodiversity surveys, camera trapping and mist netting, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and protected areas assessment.
Cambodia
Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies
Location
Siem Reap; Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong watershed
Research Themes
Elephant ecology, climate change impacts, traditional ecological knowledge, biodiversity conservation, environmental justice, environmental anthropology
Central Research Question
How is Cambodia addressing pressing environmental concerns, especially those related to the conservation of biodiversity and the changing dynamics of rural livelihoods that depend on diminishing natural resources?
Core Skills
Climate change impacts, Elephant ecology and conservation, Traditional livelihoods and ecological knowledge, Community conservation strategies, Indigenous rights and challenges, Protected areas and threatened ecosystems, Environmental ethics and justice, Natural resource governance
Chile
Climate Studies
Location
Puerto Natales, Patagonia
Research Themes
Climate change impacts and resilience, Glacial and freshwater dynamics, Geology and volcanic activity, Penguin behavior, Endangered species protection, Coastal and alpine ecology, Conservation strategy and practice, National Park visitation and protected areas management.
Central Research Question
How can Chile respond to local and global challenges while securing the functionality of its natural and human systems?
Core Skills
Terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity assessments, GIS, water quality assessments, biodiversity survey techniques, species ID and population monitoring, natural resource valuation, landscape and soils analysis, research design and implementation, quantitative/qualitative data collection and analysis, scientific writing and communication, basic Spanish language skills
Costa Rica
Ecological Resilience Studies
Location
Atenas, Central Valley; coastal rainforests and tropical dry forests
Research Themes
Impacts of climate change on tropical ecosystems, Agriculture and conservation, Combining environmental services and biodiversity conservation, Urban and agricultural expansion and water management, Food security, Vertebrate ecology, Sustainable ecotourism, Ecological Resilience, research design and implementation, quantitative/qualitative data collection and analysis, scientific writing and communication, basic Spanish language skills.
Central Research Question
How can Costa Rica respond to local and global challenges while securing the functionality of its natural and human systems?
Core Skills
GIS use and applications, species identification, habitat and biodiversity assessment, vertebrate ecology, tourism impact assessment methods, basic Spanish language skills, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and research presentation.
Croatia
Conservation of Marine Megafauna
Location
Veli Lošinj
Research Themes
Cetacean and sea turtle ecology, Biodiversity conservation, Marine spatial planning and regional conservation, Systematic conservation planning and decision making, Cetaceans and sea turtles rescue procedures, Sea turtle rehabilitation and husbandry practices, Veterinary investigations and diagnostics.
Central Research Question
Biodiversity assessments, population monitoring, animal behavior observation, GIS and mapping, biodiversity survey techniques, tag/recapture techniques, photoidentification, species management planning, research design and implementation, quantitative/qualitative data collection and analysis, scientific writing and communication, sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and husbandry techniques.
Core Skills
Research design and implementation, quantitative/qualitative data collection and analysis, questionnaire development, stakeholder interviews, basic statistical analysis, monetary valuation techniques, multicriteria analysis, biodiversity assessments, population monitoring, animal behavior observation, GIS and mapping, biodiversity survey techniques, scientific writing, and communication.
Italy
Sustainable Food Systems
Location
Greve, Tuscany, Italy
Research Themes
Conservation of local agrobiodiversity by farmers, Climate change impacts on food production, Sustainability of organic agriculture and small-scale fisheries, Livestock-wolf conflict management, Stewardship of endangered heritage livestock breeds, Multifunctional forest management
Central Research Question
Research design and implementation, quantitative/qualitative data collection and analysis, questionnaire development, stakeholder interviews, basic statistical analysis, monetary valuation techniques, multicriteria analysis, biodiversity assessments, population monitoring, animal behavior observation, GIS and mapping, biodiversity survey techniques, scientific writing, and communication.
Core Skills
Biodiversity assessments, population monitoring, animal behavior observation, GIS and mapping, biodiversity survey techniques, tag/recapture techniques, photoidentification, species management planning, research design and implementation, quantitative/qualitative data collection and analysis, scientific writing and communication, sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and husbandry techniques.
Kenya
Endangered Species Conservation
Location
Kimana, Rift Valley; Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem; savanna ecosystems
Research Themes
Endangered Species, Wildlife ecology and management, human dimensions of wildlife, resource competition with local communities, community conservation / ecotourism, community wildlife sanctuaries, national park management, wildlife dispersal and movement outside protected areas
Central Research Question
How can changes in land use and natural resource availability in the Maasai steppe of Kenya be managed in such a way as to foster the well-being of local communities whilst safeguarding and promoting biodiversity conservation?
Core Skills
Animal behavior observation, environmental impacts assessment, species identification, wildlife census techniques, natural resource management planning, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, tourism impact assessment methods, and basic Swahili language skills.
Panama
Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies
Location
Bocas del Toro Archipelago; mangrove and cloud forest ecosystems; agricultural and fishing communities; tourism sites
Research Themes
Biodiversity and ecosystem health assessments, Rainforest and marine ecology Indigenous tourism and sustainability, Tourism impacts on ecosystems and human populations, marine protected areas
Central Research Question
How can the natural resources of the BDT archipelago best be managed in order to promote conservation and sustainable use considering the complex socioeconomic environment?
Core Skills
Habitat and biodiversity assessment, underwater surveying with transects and quadrats, tourism SWOT analysis, basic Spanish language skills, interview methods, and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
Peru
Amazon Studies
Location
Tarapoto. Amazon rainforest ecosystems; Andean cloud forests
Research Themes
Climate change and conservation practice, Landscape ecology and habitat fragmentation, Biodiversity assessment, Forest health and recovery, Indigenous knowledge and histories, Ecosystem services and carbon markets, Impacts of development in the Amazon Biogeography, and Political ecology
Central Research Question
What conditions are necessary for effective conservation and sustainable socioeconomic development in Peru?
Core Skills
Species identification and population monitoring, biodiversity and habitat surveys, research plots and transects, interviewing and mapping techniques, conservation strategy assessment, basic Spanish language skills, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and research presentation.
Tanzania
Wildlife Management Studies
Location
Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem; Serengeti National Park; Maasai steppe
Research Themes
Wildlife conservation, Climate change impacts, African large mammal behavior and ecology, Field ornithology, Human-wildlife conflict, Habitat assessments, Community-based conservation, and Reptile ecology and conservation
Central Research Question
How can changes in land use and resource availability in Tanzania be managed in such a way as to foster the well-being of local communities whilst safeguarding and promoting biodiversity conservation?
Core Skills
GIS use and applications, habitat and biodiversity assessment, natural resource valuation, species identification and wildlife census techniques, animal behavior observation skills, radio telemetry, bird species identification, basic Swahili language skills, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and research presentation.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Marine Resource Studies
Location
South Caicos Island and surrounding marine ecosystems
Research Themes
Marine ecology and conservation, Climate change and ocean acidification, Approaches to sustainable tourism and fisheries, Marine resource management, Traditional island livelihoods, Coral health and resilience, Marine protected areas Coastal management
Central Research Question
How can SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies support the government and South Caicos community to best manage the marine environment and resources to balance biodiversity conservation and economic stability?
Core Skills
Coral health assessment, marine species identification, underwater transects and quadrats, video and photo tracking, marine survey techniques, habitat and biodiversity assessment, ecosystem services valuation, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, research presentation, and PADI Open Water Diver certification (offered at an additional cost, upon request).