
Pennsylvania State University
Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, Penn State University
801 Ford Building
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Email: bdt3@psu.edu
Phone: 970-227-2872
Visit B. Derrick's Research Website
Research Disciplines: Research Interests:
Communication strategies, human and visitor behavior, visitor-use management, parks and protected areas, Leave No Trace-based, human health, natural sounds and natural dark skies.
Biographical Sketch
As a conservation social scientist, I examine how communication strategies influence human behavior and, in particular, how they promote healthy human behaviors, and ultimately strong ecological values. I have established a program of research with three focal areas that inform visitor-use management in parks and protected areas globally: 1) communication strategies regarding Leave No Trace-based (LNT) minimum impact behaviors, 2) examining the relationship between protected areas and human health, and 3) human health in relation to natural sounds and natural dark skies.
Education
- PhD: Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado
- Master of Arts: American Studies, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama