Oct. 22 lectures to illustrate value of social science in environmental research

Lincoln, Neb. — The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has teamed up with Rural Prosperity Nebraska and the Agricultural Research Division to bring a visiting social scientist to East Campus to present her research on surveying rural communities to highlight voices often overlooked when it comes to environmental issues. Jessica Schad, an associate professor of sociology at Utah State University, will present three lectures on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Dinsdale Family Learning Commons. 

Mark Balschweid, ALEC department head, said Schad’s visit would help add clarity to how people and their values, opinions and perspectives can impact scientific work. 

“For many of the issues facing Nebraskans, we may have the scientific answers to things like greater productivity in food production, or groundwater quality, or soil erosion,” he said. “Many times the most difficult part of the solution is understanding the human element—and then getting people to talk to each other, work together, and understand the mutual benefit to exploring the best path forward.”

 Schad’s lectures will explore ways that effective research design can help raise rural voices to the top of discussions regarding the environment, as well as the different rolls social scientists play in academia’s relationship with rural residents. As an expert in survey research design, with measured success in response rates from landowners, farmers, producers, and rural community stakeholders, Schad will share “best practices” in using survey research design to engage with rural Nebraskans.

With a Ph.D. in community and environment from the University of New Hampshire, Schad’s expertise and current research focus on rural communities and natural resource usage. She has taught in the University of Utah’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology since 2019, and in the Department of Sociology and Rural Studies at South Dakota State University before that.

While she has spent the last five years in the Rocky Mountains, many of her recent publications focus specifically on environmental practices in agriculture in the Midwest, namely in South Dakota, Iowa, and the Cornbelt region.

Schad’s lectures are open to the public. Her schedule is as follows:

• 11:30 a.m., Room 235: The East Campus Social Scientist, Room 235
  • Social scientists are invited to bring surveys, questions, and concerns to share with others, as Dr. Schad offers best practices that support strong survey results and response rates.
  • 1:30 p.m., Room 202: “Why You Need a Social Scientist on Your Team”
    • This informal seminar for non social scientists will focus on how survey research can be integrated to research proposals to more effectively address stakeholder involvement and broader impact.
    • 3:30 p.m., Room 202: “Utahns’ Views on Environmental Problems and Solutions: Focus on the Drying of the Great Salt Lake”
      • Learn about how Dr. Schad has developed the Utah People and Environment Poll (or UPEP) to gather longitudinal data on statewide perspectives on environmental issues important to the state to inform decision-making for a thriving future.

 In addition to her lectures and Q&A sessions with the public, Schad will also meet with ALEC faculty and Nebraska Extension professionals to discuss the recent findings of the 2024 Nebraska Rural Poll.

 For more information, contact Mary Emery at memery2@unl.edu.