Rumi Naito

Rumi Naito is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) within the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia. As a conservation social scientist with 15+ years of research and project management experience, she specializes in behavioral psychology applied to environmental sustainability, including REDD+, community-based conservation, and behavior change interventions. Her work bridges psychology, policy, and ecology to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and wildlife trade challenges.

Education

• PhD in Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia
• Master’s in International Affairs (Environmental Policy), Columbia University

Research Focus

Naito investigates psychological and social drivers of pro-environmental behavior using mixed methods. Her current projects center on:

• Designing behavior change interventions for wildlife trade demand reduction
• Mitigating human-wildlife conflicts through community engagement
• Promoting sustainable land-use practices in tropical rural communities

She integrates cognitive principles with field experiments to test conservation messaging strategies and incentive systems in Indonesia and globally.

Publication Trends

Naito's recent work (2021-2024) emphasizes behavioral interventions and transformative social change in wildlife conservation, particularly exotic pet trade demand reduction. Earlier publications (2012-2017) focused on carbon dynamics and land-use impacts in Indonesian peatlands, including policy-guiding carbon estimation methodologies.

Awards

• Liu Scholar, Liu Institute for Global Issues
• Four Year Doctoral Fellowship, University of British Columbia

Professional Background

She previously led sustainability projects in Indonesia for 7+ years as a Senior Project Manager at Starling Resources, overseeing REDD+ initiatives, peatland restoration, and community development programs. She maintains affiliations with the CHANS Lab and Zhao Lab, collaborating on interdisciplinary conservation behavior research.