Bird watching and the potential for cultivating green engagement

The Department of Ecology combines research in basic ecology with applied research in nature conservation, wildlife management, forestry and crop protection. Much of its research is interdisciplinary and increasingly concerns citizen science, an approach and research focus SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) expands and invests in.

Project description:

The goal of this short study is to investigate how environmental citizenship is enacted in the volunteer work carried out by amateur birders. Specifically, our aim is to use a combination of ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with amateur birders to explore the links between participation in ornithological citizen science and a broader sense of environmental citizenship.

This researcher position is part of a EU H2020-funded international project, named EnviroCitizen https://www.envirocitizen.eu/, with partners from Norway, Estonia, Cyprus, Romania, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. The EnviroCitizen project is based in the environmental humanities and aims to find ways for the citizen science of the future to take the citizen part as serious as the science part. For this, it focusses on birdwatching and the potential this may bring for cultivating green engagement.

Qualifications:

We are looking for a highly motivated and applicant who holds a PhD degree in the social sciences or humanities and is familiar with the cultures and practices associated to bird watching. Experience with interviewing, qualitative data analysis and the ability to conceptualise are required, as are good communication (written and spoken) in English and Swedish. Good interpersonal skills, creativity, good teamwork, independence, strong work ethic and cultural sensitivity are valued. Selection of qualified applicants will be based on the written application (in English) including a curriculum vitae. Please include the names and contact details of two referees in your application.



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.