Scientific ambiguity and its consequences
We seek to hire a post-doctoral researcher to advance a project
focused on destabilization of knowledge claims, science
communication, and organizational strategies in the field of
environmental conservation. The empirical focus of the project is the
monarch butterfly and new claims that challenge a received wisdom
that populations of monarchs are rapidly declining. Other recent data
supports the conventional wisdom of declining populations in the face
of increasing threats and challenges. As a charismatic terrestrial
invertebrate, and because of spectacular fidelity exhibited in its
long distance migration (>5000 km) across North America and its
choice of host plant, the monarch enjoys a status as a conservation
icon. As an icon, this butterfly plays a role in public and
policy-oriented communication; it may also serve to structure
organizational programming in both cognitive and strategic terms. We
seek to study how individuals and organizations respond to knowledge
claims and counter-claims and engage with biological science and
scientists. The successful candidate will draw on and contribute to
literatures on science studies, science communication, sociology of
science, environmental sociology and/or other related fields.
Interest in reading and interpreting the biological literature
relating to the monarch's ecology would be helpful.
The position has been funded by the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable
Future (<http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/>www.acsf.cornell.edu) to an
interdisciplinary group of Cornell professors (Bruce Lewenstein,
Steven Wolf, and Anurag Agrawal). The position is for one year, but
we can imagine making applications for follow-on funding. Starting
date is January 2014. Please send a single PDF file with cover
letter, CV, writing sample, and names and email addresses of three
references to <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected].
Review of applications will begin September 1, 2013 and will continue
until the position is filled.
This position is located in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University is an
innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our
inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an
uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to
further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and
engagement. Diversity and inclusion have been and continue to be a
part of our heritage. Cornell University is a recognized EEO/AA
employer and educator.
