معرفی
Dr. Jeffrey Skibins is a Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at East Carolina University (ECU). His research focuses on ecotourism, conservation psychology, and environmental education, particularly examining human-wildlife interaction, visitor behavior, and interpretation effectiveness in zoos, national parks, and virtual wildlife experiences.
- Department: Recreation and Leisure Studies
- Email: skibinsj18@ecu.edu
Current research themes include:
- Wildlife Conservation Engagement: Through zoo exhibits, virtual bear cams, and flagship species recognition
- Interpretation Science: Cross-cultural adaptation of interpretive methods and training effectiveness in Japan
- Visitor Experience Frameworks: Temporal/spatial management models and technology-mediated nature connections
Recent publications explore digital nature experiences, empathy development in zoo visitors, and cross-cultural interpretation. Active research includes projects with the ACE for Wildlife Advisory Board and Connection to Nature Working Group.
Dr. Skibins advises graduate students including:
- Ph.D. candidate Andres Leon-Reyes
- M.S. candidate Meghan Roberts
- Undergraduate researcher Chase Webber
Research collaborations span wildlife refuges, international training programs, and virtual tourism impact assessments.
