معرفی
Jessica Schad is an Associate Professor in the Sociology & Anthropology Department at Utah State University (USU), and Director of the Center for the Analysis of Natural Resources and Institutions (CANRI). Her work bridges rural sociology, natural resource governance, and survey methodology. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire (2014), an MA from the University of Montana (2009), and a BA from the University of Montana-Western (2005). She has also completed certifications in online instruction from Instructional Design Services (2018).
Her research focuses on rural communities, natural resource management, and survey methodologies. Key topics include agricultural sustainability, climate adaptation, community wellbeing, and the intersection of rural economies with environmental policies. She has conducted extensive studies on farmer decision-making regarding conservation practices, soil health, and responses to extreme weather events.
Her awards include the 2022 Graduate Research Mentor Award (USU Sociology & Anthropology Department), 2021 Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, and the 2015 Rural Sociological Society Early Career Research Award. She has advised graduate students such as Edem Avemegah and Abdelrahim Abulbasher, focusing on topics like crop rotation adoption and conservation ethics.
Her work has been published in journals like Rural Sociology, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, and Society & Natural Resources. She leads the Utah People & Environment Poll (UPEP), examining public perceptions of environmental issues, climate change, and disaster risks. CANRI, under her direction, collaborates on projects addressing short-term rentals, air pollution impacts, and climate migration decisions.
Her teaching includes courses on community theory, natural resource sociology, and advanced survey techniques. She emphasizes applied research, such as co-producing knowledge with stakeholders to improve agricultural policies and community resilience strategies.
