Ashley Dayer

Ashley Dayer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech, specializing in the human dimensions of wildlife conservation. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.S. from Colorado State University, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. Her research focuses on the intersection of human behavior and wildlife conservation, particularly regarding marginalized communities like disabled birders and BIPOC groups. Dayer has held roles including Visiting Assistant Professor at SUNY-ESF and Social Science Advisor at the National Audubon Society. She is affiliated with the Global Change Center and leads the Dayer HD Lab, dedicated to applying social science to enhance conservation outcomes. Her work spans topics such as bird feeding practices, rancher land management, coastal marsh preservation, and equitable conservation strategies.

• Education: B.A. Harvard (2001), M.S. Colorado State (2006), Ph.D. Cornell (2013)
• Affiliations: American Ornithological Society, Road to Recovery Leadership Team

Research interests emphasize how human actions impact wildlife and vice versa, with projects including the National Bird Conservation Social Science Coordinator role. She collaborates with organizations like the Intermountain West Joint Venture and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Notable studies address beach-nesting bird conservation, rancher flood irrigation decisions, and the role of private landowners in ecosystem resilience.