Summer Internship Opportunity at Virginia Tech on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Conservation Programs
Two summer internship positions are available in the Dayer Human Dimensions Lab(link is external) in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech through the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP)(link is external).
This long-running program recruits undergraduate students from across the U.S. for 10-week summer internships that provide hands-on research experience in the sciences and other activities that prepare students to apply for and succeed in graduate school.
MAOP interns in the Dayer Lab will work closely with Dr. Ashley Dayer(link is external) and other mentors on a social science project supported by the USDA Forest Service - State & Private Forestry focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in wildlife and environmental conservation on privately owned lands in the U.S.
Specifically, the interns will design and conduct a review of existing social science literature on participation in federal conservation programs among ethno-racial, gender, and socio-economic groups to identify factors that support and challenge enrollment in these programs among underserved groups, including Black and women landowners. Interns will present their findings as a poster and presentation in a research symposium at the end of the summer. Additionally, they will develop a fact sheet and contribute to a webinar for federal agency staff, in order to inform the design of conservation programs that are accessible and attractive to diverse landowners.
The internship will occur in-person on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia from May 23 - July 29, 2022. Benefits of the MAOP internship include:
- $3,000 stipend
- Provided on-campus housing and meal plan
- Weekly GRE prep classes
- Workshops on research and graduate education
- Weekend excursions and activities
This is an ideal opportunity for students interested in pursuing graduate study in human dimensions of natural resource management, environmental policy, DEIJ scholarship, or conservation social science. Applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduate students from any two-year or four-year institution and must be U.S. citizens or Permanent U.S. Residents. Students from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We are also looking for students who are:
- Interested in social science research in the field of conservation
- Organized and detail-oriented
- Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Able to work well independently and as part of a team
