Dr Kerry Waylen

Kerry Waylen is a post-doctoral researcher working in the Socio-Economics Research Group. Kerry has a background in both the natural and social sciences, some policy experience, and field experience in several countries. Accordingly, she has diverse interests, but aims to do research that can inform and help improve policy and practice of how we conserve our natural resources.

Research Interests

Kerry has broad interests and experiences, and is generally interested in the governance of natural resources, and how this may be made more equitable and effective. Many issues relate to understanding the human systems in which we are attempting to conserve natural resources, rather than the bio-physical systems. Understanding individuals' views in the context of their local society, whether they be in India or Inverness, can help us to understand how conservation-related projects are interpreted, and why certain outcomes are achieved (or not).

She has particular interests in the challenges faced by international conservation and in the links between conservation and human-well-being. Most contemporary conservation efforts aim to involve local people in some way, promote local participation, and even aim to improve welfare and living standards. These "community-based" conservation projects can be appealing, but their diversity and diverse challenges can also make it challenging to understand what is needed for success.

Kerry'is interested in improving the collection and use of evidence to inform conservation policy and practice, and has experience of using systematic reviews and meta-analyses for that purpose. She is also interested in how evidence is used to inform policy, the process of communication. Does improving projects in "the real world" depend on improving how we communicate our findings, as much as asking the right questions in the first place?

Kerry's PhD research, carried out at Imperial College London, examined how the combination of individual views, culture and local institutions could significantly influence the outcomes of community-based conservation in developing countries. These factors may not be perceived as directly relevant, but can often have large influences on the outcomes on efforts to encourage sustainable use of resources. Kerry used a systematic review and meta-analysis of past data on conservation projects and also used data collection from case studies in developing countries. In the Seti Khola valley of Nepal, NTFP use and Galliform poaching are important conservation issues and mixed methods of Rapid Rural Appraisal and questionnaire surveys were used to understand drivers of resource use and influence of views. A case study of Kalmykia, Russia, used qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews to show an influence of Buddhist ecological teachings on environmental concern and behaviour, where the rural people of Mongolian heritage have distinct cultural identity strongly tied to a belief in Buddhism.

In addition to policy work with NGOs, her academic experience includes social research into attitudes towards nature resources in Trinidad, as part of an MSc from Imperial College, and her first degree is a MA in Natural Sciences, from Cambridge University.

Kerry's highlighted publications

• Understanding public attitudes for biodiversity management., Waylen, K.A.; Fischer, A., (2010) Knowledge Scotland. Science Policy Connections Online.

• The effect of local cultural context on the success of community-based conservation interventions., Waylen, K.A.; Fischer, A.; McGowan, P.J.K.; Thirgood, S.J.; Milner-Gulland, E.J., (2010) Conservation Biology, 24, 1119-1124.

• Ecotourism positively affects awareness and attitudes but not conservation behaviors: a case study at Grande Riviere, Trinidad., Waylen, K.A.; McGowan, P.J.K.; Milner-Gulland ; Pawi Study Group., (2009) Oryx, 43, 343-351.

Kerry's most recent publications

• Barriers to uptake of measures designed to improve water quality and quantity: Review of literature and initial conceptual model., Waylen, K.A.; Dunglinson, J.; Blackstock, K.; Skuras,D.; Psaltopoulos, D., (2010) Report for Project REFRESH (Adaptive Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change on European Freshwater Ecosystems). Refresh Milestone 1.10.

• The effect of local cultural context on community-based conservation interventions: evaluating ecological, economic, attitudinal and behavioural outcomes., Waylen, K.A.; Fischer, A.; McGowan, PJ.K.; Thirgood, S.J.; Milner-Gulland, E.J., (2010) Systematic Review - Collaboration for Environmental Evidence, No. 80, 36pp.

• Bats as bushmeat: a global review., Mickleburgh, S.; Waylen, K.; Racey, P., (2009) Oryx, 43, 217-234.

• Understanding views of nature in developing countries - are concepts from the West relevant?, Waylen, K.A.; Fischer, A., (2009) 8th Biennial Conference on Environmental Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland, 6th-9th September 2009.

• Values that influence conservation behaviour - social science concepts relevant to understanding conservation support in Nepal., Waylen, K.A.; Milner-Gulland, E.J.; McGowan, P.G.; Fischer, A., (2009) The 23rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology, Galliformes - Barometers of the State of Applied Ecology and Wildlife Conservation in Asia, Beijing, China, 11th-16th July 2009. Abstract

• Seven weeks near Tibet., Waylen, K.A., (2007) In-land Newsletter, Autumn 2007, pp18-19.

• Ecotourism affects local knowledge of natural resources and attitudes to conservation in Grande Riviere, Trinidad., Waylen, K.A.; Milner-Gulland, E.J.; McGowan, P., (2007) Speed Presentation, Society for Conservation Biology, 21st annual Meeting, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 1-5 July 2007.

• Botanic gardens: more than just a pretty place., Waylen, K., (2006) Oryx, 40, 259-260.

• Botanic gardens: using biodiversity to improve human well-being., Waylen, K., (2006) Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Richmond, UK. ISBN 1905164084