Emily J. Huff

Emily J. Huff (formerly Silver) is an Associate Professor at the Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, where she serves as Associate Chairperson and Director of Graduate Studies. Her work bridges social science and forest ecology, focusing on human behavior's impact on natural resources.

• PhD in Forestry (Human Dimensions of Forestry), University of Maine, 2015
• MS in Natural Resources Science and Management (Forest Ecology and Management), University of Minnesota, 2012
• BA in Environmental Studies and Music Composition, Brandeis University, 2008

Dr. Huff's research examines how human attitudes, values, and social interactions shape forest management outcomes. She employs agent-based modeling and experimental data to study stakeholders such as private landowners and resource managers, with applications in rural/urban forestry and wildlife conservation.

Her publications span forest policy, agroforestry, and ecological economics. Recent works analyze wood pellet technology adoption (2021), taxation programs for family forest owners (2020), and agroforestry market development (2023). She has also contributed to urban forestry resilience reviews (2020) and fire history studies in oak-pine systems (2013).

Dr. Huff leads the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Laboratory, collaborating with ecologists, sociologists, and engineers. She received a 2018 USDA grant to expand forestry career opportunities and continues to inform stewardship practices through behavioral insights.