Reconsidering social science theories in natural resource management continuing professional education

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Over 25 years ago, the ‘wicked problems’ concept was introduced into forestry to describe the increasingly complex work situations faced by many natural resource management (NRM) professionals and at the same time the demand and frequency of public involvement in NRM issues also grew. Research on the impact of these changes for NRM professionals resulted in many studies calling for NRM professionals to learn a host of new social science-related skills and knowledge. Twenty years later, research continues to show that NRM professionals are struggling to develop these ‘new’ skills and calls for integrating the social sciences in NRM education and practice endure. This paper discusses the challenge of integrating social science skills and knowledge into NRM public involvement practice and continuing professional education. The paper argues for a reconsideration of how social science theories relate to professionals’ practical theories and concludes with some implications and proposals for NRM continuing professional education.
Translated title of the contributionGenovervejelse af samfundsvidenskabelige teorier i naturressourceforvaltning-efteruddannelse
Original languageEnglish
JournalEnvironmental Education Research
Volume20
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)496-525
Number of pages30
ISSN1350-4622
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

ID: 100004331