L. Jen Shaffer

L. Jen Shaffer is an Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Maryland's Department of Environmental Science and Technology. She specializes in ecological anthropology, focusing on local environmental knowledge (LEK), human contributions to biodiversity conservation, and social-ecological systems. Her work bridges community collaboration with scientific research to address climate change adaptation, resource governance, and human-wildlife coexistence. Shaffer holds a PhD in Anthropology (2009) from the University of Georgia, along with prior degrees in Environmental Studies and Biology.

Her research spans African savannas, Pacific Islands, and U.S. regions like Maryland and Oregon. Notable projects include vulture conservation strategies, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and the role of cultural practices in environmental decision-making. Shaffer advises the ENSP Culture and Environment concentration and has supervised multiple graduate students in interdisciplinary environmental studies.

Recent publications emphasize transdisciplinary approaches to conservation (e.g., vulture poisoning assessments, wind energy labor studies) and equity-focused initiatives like supporting women in Indonesian conservation. Her work often integrates social network analysis and participatory methods to foster resilient solutions.