Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
@metcalfhdlab.bsky.social
Associate Professor and Director of the UM Human Dimensions Lab
Behavioral science and social-psychology | Human relationships with wildlife & the environment | Conservation social science | Mixed methods
Behavioral science and social-psychology | Human relationships with wildlife & the environment | Conservation social science | Mixed methods
"America’s debates over wildlife, especially wolves, are often framed as bitter battles between two entrenched camps...
But recent research suggests the story is more complicated—and more hopeful." www.explorebigsky.com/dispatches-f...
But recent research suggests the story is more complicated—and more hopeful." www.explorebigsky.com/dispatches-f...
Dispatches from the Wild: The wolf wars aren’t as polarized as you think | Explore Big Sky
By Benjamin Alva Polley EBS COLUMNIST America’s debates over wildlife, especially wolves, are often framed as bitter battles between two entrenched camps: pro-wolf environmentalists and anti-wolf rura...
www.explorebigsky.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:23 PM
"America’s debates over wildlife, especially wolves, are often framed as bitter battles between two entrenched camps...
But recent research suggests the story is more complicated—and more hopeful." www.explorebigsky.com/dispatches-f...
But recent research suggests the story is more complicated—and more hopeful." www.explorebigsky.com/dispatches-f...
Aka, human dimensions.
Imagine how much harder physics would be if electrons had feelings.
January 25, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Aka, human dimensions.
Big news in the Metcalf house…
Today, Libby was officially named Dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana & Director of the Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. More to share in coming days, but I’m just so damn humbled to watch this Wonder Woman!
Today, Libby was officially named Dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana & Director of the Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. More to share in coming days, but I’m just so damn humbled to watch this Wonder Woman!
January 21, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Big news in the Metcalf house…
Today, Libby was officially named Dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana & Director of the Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. More to share in coming days, but I’m just so damn humbled to watch this Wonder Woman!
Today, Libby was officially named Dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana & Director of the Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. More to share in coming days, but I’m just so damn humbled to watch this Wonder Woman!
Good coverage of our human dimensions of wildlife study on the dynamic effects of social identity on attitudes!
"Pack Politics: How Political Identity can Twist Perception of Wolves - Study shows that partisan misperceptions about opponents may lead to conflict, even when consensus is possible"
"Pack Politics: How Political Identity can Twist Perception of Wolves - Study shows that partisan misperceptions about opponents may lead to conflict, even when consensus is possible"
Pack Politics: How Political Identity can Twist Perception of Wolves - Mountain Journal
Study shows that partisan misperceptions about opponents may lead to conflict, even when consensus is possible
mountainjournal.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Good coverage of our human dimensions of wildlife study on the dynamic effects of social identity on attitudes!
"Pack Politics: How Political Identity can Twist Perception of Wolves - Study shows that partisan misperceptions about opponents may lead to conflict, even when consensus is possible"
"Pack Politics: How Political Identity can Twist Perception of Wolves - Study shows that partisan misperceptions about opponents may lead to conflict, even when consensus is possible"
Solid mix of pride and embarrassment to be featured in the inaugural YouTube episode of A New Angle podcast talking about the human dimensions of wolf and wildlife conservation.
"The big (bad?) wolf with Dr. Alex Metcalf" www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VZa...
"The big (bad?) wolf with Dr. Alex Metcalf" www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VZa...
The Big (Bad?) Wolf with Dr. Alex Metcalf
YouTube video by A New Angle
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Solid mix of pride and embarrassment to be featured in the inaugural YouTube episode of A New Angle podcast talking about the human dimensions of wolf and wildlife conservation.
"The big (bad?) wolf with Dr. Alex Metcalf" www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VZa...
"The big (bad?) wolf with Dr. Alex Metcalf" www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VZa...
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
Most Americans actually like wolves, but when researchers reminded people of their political identities, Democrats became more friendly to wolves and Republicans far more opposed. It’s an interesting study in how politics and social identity can fuel partisan polarization.
buff.ly/aA10yEP
buff.ly/aA10yEP
Americans generally like wolves − except when we’re reminded of our politics
New research shows how identity-driven assumptions can turn common ground into conflict.
theconversation.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Most Americans actually like wolves, but when researchers reminded people of their political identities, Democrats became more friendly to wolves and Republicans far more opposed. It’s an interesting study in how politics and social identity can fuel partisan polarization.
buff.ly/aA10yEP
buff.ly/aA10yEP
Ironically on January 6th, we have a new paper out about political identities and how they divide us on the topic of wolves. doi.org/10.1111/cobi...
doi.org
January 6, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Ironically on January 6th, we have a new paper out about political identities and how they divide us on the topic of wolves. doi.org/10.1111/cobi...
A couple years back I started to wonder how much of MT is owned by corporate entities, the role of really big properties, & the consequences for public trust wildlife management.
Today we published some answers and how things have (and haven’t) changed over the past 20 years:
Today we published some answers and how things have (and haven’t) changed over the past 20 years:
Private Ownership of Public Trust Wildlife Habitat in Montana, U.S.A. (2004–2023) - Environmental Management
Habitat ownership in the U.S. is primarily private, complicating management of public trust wildlife. Under this configuration, the rights and interests of private landowners can be at odds with those...
doi.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
A couple years back I started to wonder how much of MT is owned by corporate entities, the role of really big properties, & the consequences for public trust wildlife management.
Today we published some answers and how things have (and haven’t) changed over the past 20 years:
Today we published some answers and how things have (and haven’t) changed over the past 20 years:
December 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
🚨 New Lab paper! 🚨
Contrary to assumptions & media narratives, most people have positive attitudes toward wolves & are tolerant of them. This is true around the world & even here in MT where 74% of Montanans are tolerant or very tolerant of wolves. 1/ conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Contrary to assumptions & media narratives, most people have positive attitudes toward wolves & are tolerant of them. This is true around the world & even here in MT where 74% of Montanans are tolerant or very tolerant of wolves. 1/ conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Increasing tolerance of wolves in Montana, United States (2012–2023)
There is little reliable human dimensions data on people's attitudes toward wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains despite global interest in wolf management in the area, and limited information glob...
conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:16 AM
🚨 New Lab paper! 🚨
Contrary to assumptions & media narratives, most people have positive attitudes toward wolves & are tolerant of them. This is true around the world & even here in MT where 74% of Montanans are tolerant or very tolerant of wolves. 1/ conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Contrary to assumptions & media narratives, most people have positive attitudes toward wolves & are tolerant of them. This is true around the world & even here in MT where 74% of Montanans are tolerant or very tolerant of wolves. 1/ conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Absolute rock star Claire McAtee presenting her senior honors thesis in human dimensions of Wildlife Biology!
December 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Absolute rock star Claire McAtee presenting her senior honors thesis in human dimensions of Wildlife Biology!
Working on 3 sets of page proofs! Really eager to share these results... #HumanDimensions #Wildlife #Wolves #Wolf #privateland #landownership #publictrust #socialidentity #hdw #conservation #endangeredspecies #carnivores
December 3, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Working on 3 sets of page proofs! Really eager to share these results... #HumanDimensions #Wildlife #Wolves #Wolf #privateland #landownership #publictrust #socialidentity #hdw #conservation #endangeredspecies #carnivores
Consider that MT is 40% public land. This means animals are harvested on public land at 150% the rate of private. Thats assuming an even distribution of animals across ownerships - which is false. If we could account for the concentration on private, the rate would be higher.
Half of successful Montana elk hunters fill their tags on public land
Five bull elk stood just out of reach on public land, a reminder that in hunting, luck and licensing often decide success...
www.montanaoutdoor.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Consider that MT is 40% public land. This means animals are harvested on public land at 150% the rate of private. Thats assuming an even distribution of animals across ownerships - which is false. If we could account for the concentration on private, the rate would be higher.
Spectacular in Missoula, MT right now!!
November 12, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Spectacular in Missoula, MT right now!!
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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🧵
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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🧵
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
The so-called debunking of “cult psychology” from the recent paper on When Prophecy Fails is misleading.
Check out the comments on this thread, where philosophers point out where the key premises of the book replicate in the vast majority of similar cults & a huge replication of dissonance theory.
Check out the comments on this thread, where philosophers point out where the key premises of the book replicate in the vast majority of similar cults & a huge replication of dissonance theory.
This is all p misleading IMO. I just saw this link so haven't read it yet (but will, though I also think lots of the retweets of this haven't read it as well, given its provenance). I don't see how this counters (eg) Dawson 1999 which goes through 13 millennial cults and finds 12 show the effect 1/n
November 6, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The so-called debunking of “cult psychology” from the recent paper on When Prophecy Fails is misleading.
Check out the comments on this thread, where philosophers point out where the key premises of the book replicate in the vast majority of similar cults & a huge replication of dissonance theory.
Check out the comments on this thread, where philosophers point out where the key premises of the book replicate in the vast majority of similar cults & a huge replication of dissonance theory.
When I first read this quote years ago it made no sense to me. I wish that hadn’t changed.
“The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie." — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
October 22, 2025 at 1:54 AM
When I first read this quote years ago it made no sense to me. I wish that hadn’t changed.
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Conservation Marketing (ConsMark) Conference 2025!
🗓️ Date: December 3 & 4
🔗 Register today: lnkd.in/eBbCVZUu
#conservation #marketing #conference
🗓️ Date: December 3 & 4
🔗 Register today: lnkd.in/eBbCVZUu
#conservation #marketing #conference
October 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Conservation Marketing (ConsMark) Conference 2025!
🗓️ Date: December 3 & 4
🔗 Register today: lnkd.in/eBbCVZUu
#conservation #marketing #conference
🗓️ Date: December 3 & 4
🔗 Register today: lnkd.in/eBbCVZUu
#conservation #marketing #conference
Everything in academia just seems to be moving so slowly these days. I’ve complained about journal reviews, but grant announcement and reviews, hiring paperwork, student issues, accounting processes, policy changes … it’s like everything is in quicksand.
October 16, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Everything in academia just seems to be moving so slowly these days. I’ve complained about journal reviews, but grant announcement and reviews, hiring paperwork, student issues, accounting processes, policy changes … it’s like everything is in quicksand.
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
🔥 The never-ending narrative…
This week, I’ve once again heard prominent climate researchers dismiss individual action as either irrelevant or a distraction instigated by the fossil fuel industry.
Here’s a 🧵 on why this argument frustrates me to no end and why I think it misses the bigger picture.
This week, I’ve once again heard prominent climate researchers dismiss individual action as either irrelevant or a distraction instigated by the fossil fuel industry.
Here’s a 🧵 on why this argument frustrates me to no end and why I think it misses the bigger picture.
October 15, 2025 at 11:50 AM
🔥 The never-ending narrative…
This week, I’ve once again heard prominent climate researchers dismiss individual action as either irrelevant or a distraction instigated by the fossil fuel industry.
Here’s a 🧵 on why this argument frustrates me to no end and why I think it misses the bigger picture.
This week, I’ve once again heard prominent climate researchers dismiss individual action as either irrelevant or a distraction instigated by the fossil fuel industry.
Here’s a 🧵 on why this argument frustrates me to no end and why I think it misses the bigger picture.
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
Further robust evidence suggesting green nudges at the individual level are unlikely to make a difference. As we recently suggested, it is time to abandon the prevailing success focus and rather think of this body of evidence as pointing to the many structural constraints people are facing, and
New DP @i4replication.bsky.social: Meta-analysis on green nudges correcting for publication bias. "Behavioral interventions on households and individuals are unlikely to deliver material climate benefits." www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10...
October 11, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Further robust evidence suggesting green nudges at the individual level are unlikely to make a difference. As we recently suggested, it is time to abandon the prevailing success focus and rather think of this body of evidence as pointing to the many structural constraints people are facing, and
I have a cool new colleague!
“UM names endowed chair of forest conservation program” missoulacurrent.com/um-forest-co...
“UM names endowed chair of forest conservation program” missoulacurrent.com/um-forest-co...
UM names endowed chair of forest conservation program
The position will oversee student training in forest processes and functions, and field-based knowledge that prepares students to address emerging issues in forest management.
missoulacurrent.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I have a cool new colleague!
“UM names endowed chair of forest conservation program” missoulacurrent.com/um-forest-co...
“UM names endowed chair of forest conservation program” missoulacurrent.com/um-forest-co...
I have four (!) papers that have been in review so long that my mind, energy, and entire lab has moved on yet they still linger waiting for the minor-ist of edits to make their way through the never ending gauntlet of reviewer/AE/editor back and forth checkboxing. Good lord this system is broken.
October 6, 2025 at 2:09 AM
I have four (!) papers that have been in review so long that my mind, energy, and entire lab has moved on yet they still linger waiting for the minor-ist of edits to make their way through the never ending gauntlet of reviewer/AE/editor back and forth checkboxing. Good lord this system is broken.
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
Multiple funded Ph.D. and Master's positions in my lab. Topics broadly cover climate and agricultural adaptation, and energy & water governance (U.S. & Global South). Apply by Dec 1, 2025.
Details: www.sechindravallury.com/graduate-opp...
Please share with prospective students!
Details: www.sechindravallury.com/graduate-opp...
Please share with prospective students!
Agriculture & Environmental Sustainability
Funded Ph.D. and Master's positions at UGA.
www.sechindravallury.com
September 21, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Multiple funded Ph.D. and Master's positions in my lab. Topics broadly cover climate and agricultural adaptation, and energy & water governance (U.S. & Global South). Apply by Dec 1, 2025.
Details: www.sechindravallury.com/graduate-opp...
Please share with prospective students!
Details: www.sechindravallury.com/graduate-opp...
Please share with prospective students!