B. Derrick Taff

B. Derrick Taff is an Associate Professor and the Assistant Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the College of Health and Human Development at The Pennsylvania State University. He holds the Suzie and Allen Martin Professorship and is affiliated with the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM). His work focuses on communication strategies influencing human and environmental health in protected areas.

• Ph.D. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources from Colorado State University (2012)
• M.A. in American Studies from the University of Alabama (2005)

Research interests include:

• Human behavior, communication, and well-being in natural environments
• Development and evaluation of Leave No Trace communication frameworks
• “Healthy parks, healthy people” initiatives
• Nature-based recreation for public health and military populations
• Well-being impacts of natural sounds in protected areas

He is currently accepting graduate students and leads the Outdoor Recreation, Protected Area, and Environmental Education Research Group. His office is located at 701H Donald H. Ford Building, University Park, PA 16802, and can be contacted via phone at 814-867-1756 or email bdt3@psu.edu.