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Research

The IIC Conservation Research Program applies W&M's interdisciplinary expertise to conservation needs

Tackling complex conservation challenges requires that we bring together a diverse community that blends expertise from across disciplines, sectors, and knowledge systems to advance integrative biodiversity conservation solutions.

Through the Conservation Research Program (CRP), the IIC bridges the research-action gap in conservation by bringing together W&M students, faculty, and external partners to conduct applied, integrative research needed to advance conservation outcomes. We aim to build long-term partnerships with faculty and conservation partners to advance innovative solutions that balance biodiversity conservation and human well-being.

We cultivate focused collaborations with conservation partners, through which students explore the transformative innovations that occur when people from different disciplines and perspectives work together. The research experience allows students to apply their classroom learning to address real biodiversity conservation challenges.

The primary objectives of IIC research are:

  1. To increase capacity of conservation partners by supporting applied biodiversity research and solution development
  2. To develop and nurture W&M students and emerging conservationists around the world as the next generation of conservation leaders

The Request for Proposals for 2025 Conservation Research Program projects is now open. Read more and apply by June 15th, 2024.

We offer several types of applied research opportunities for W&M students, W&M faculty, and conservation partners to engage in. Opportunities include a year-long or semester-long research program and our Conservation Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab. Our research opportunities are open to W&M faculty of any discipline and to W&M undergraduate students regardless of major. We welcome engagement from W&M students, faculty and existing or potential conservation partners. Check out our current research and our research portfolio for details on projects and outcomes of IIC research.
An IIC Research Experience

{{youtube:medium|qYv_NTFUNX4,IIC students Bibiana Mirones and Jordan Bryant highlight their work on development of vegetation analysis tools for local communities in natural areas. This project will provide an opportunity to test the tools in collaboration with communities as part of the process to strengthen and adoption of this methodology, as a useful learning resource at the community level. Video by Bibiana Mirones and Jordan Bryant Conservation Partners: Community of San Pablo Oztotepec, Milpa Alta and the Faculty of Sciences of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Faculty Mentors: Dr. Fernando Galeana-Rodriguez and Dr. Martha Case.}} 

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Applied Conservation Worldwide

Check out the work of our current cohort and view our portfolio of past projects.