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
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!
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
People across the political spectrum suddenly agree that social media can lead to political violence and online calls for civil war have skyrocketed
I explain how social media rewards negativity, division and hostility--and what we can all do about it: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/social-med...
I explain how social media rewards negativity, division and hostility--and what we can all do about it: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/social-med...
September 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
People across the political spectrum suddenly agree that social media can lead to political violence and online calls for civil war have skyrocketed
I explain how social media rewards negativity, division and hostility--and what we can all do about it: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/social-med...
I explain how social media rewards negativity, division and hostility--and what we can all do about it: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/social-med...
These “America divided” and “Surge of violence” headlines can manifest a reality that doesn’t exist. They’re irresponsible, dangerous, and false. Don’t listen.
Here’s a Republican pollster’s take:
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/o...
Here’s a Republican pollster’s take:
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/o...
Opinion | Politicians Are Polarized. American Voters, Not So Much.
www.nytimes.com
September 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
These “America divided” and “Surge of violence” headlines can manifest a reality that doesn’t exist. They’re irresponsible, dangerous, and false. Don’t listen.
Here’s a Republican pollster’s take:
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/o...
Here’s a Republican pollster’s take:
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/o...
A dynamic that's informed my research seems too relevant today: Democrats & Republicans WAY over-estimate each other's support for violence. Like by 250-400%!
The danger is that assuming OTHERS support violence means YOU support more violence. Correcting these false assumptions takes down the tone.
The danger is that assuming OTHERS support violence means YOU support more violence. Correcting these false assumptions takes down the tone.
Correcting inaccurate metaperceptions reduces Americans’ support for partisan violence | PNAS
Scholars, policy makers, and the general public have expressed growing concern about
the possibility of large-scale political violence in the Unite...
doi.org
September 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
A dynamic that's informed my research seems too relevant today: Democrats & Republicans WAY over-estimate each other's support for violence. Like by 250-400%!
The danger is that assuming OTHERS support violence means YOU support more violence. Correcting these false assumptions takes down the tone.
The danger is that assuming OTHERS support violence means YOU support more violence. Correcting these false assumptions takes down the tone.
The “Met-ells” Lab’s first MS student Anna Baize absolutely nailing her talk on prioritizing bear attractants using decision science! Pareto frontier! #Pathways2025
September 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
The “Met-ells” Lab’s first MS student Anna Baize absolutely nailing her talk on prioritizing bear attractants using decision science! Pareto frontier! #Pathways2025
Great talk by @danialnayeri.bsky.social on why and when different people support the complicated topic of killing wildlife to achieve conservation outcomes! #Pathways2025
September 8, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Great talk by @danialnayeri.bsky.social on why and when different people support the complicated topic of killing wildlife to achieve conservation outcomes! #Pathways2025
Brianna Lipp, Human Dimensions of Wildlife MS student in the Lab, absolutely CRUSHING her talk on social identity theory in wildlife research at #Pathways2025
September 8, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Brianna Lipp, Human Dimensions of Wildlife MS student in the Lab, absolutely CRUSHING her talk on social identity theory in wildlife research at #Pathways2025
As my students know all too well, this is one of my top frustrations.
We spend nearly all the time/money figuring out how big the hole is in the side of the ship and trying to convince others we measured right, and nearly none understanding how to rally people to fix the damn hole.
Great piece!
We spend nearly all the time/money figuring out how big the hole is in the side of the ship and trying to convince others we measured right, and nearly none understanding how to rally people to fix the damn hole.
Great piece!
In this new Commentary in @natclimate.nature.com, I reflect on the recent focus on truth discernment in #misinfo research and argue that this outcome alone may not be beneficial to society if interventions do not improve behaviour and other outcomes because... 1/
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Truth discernment may not help to overcome misinformation
Nature Climate Change - Scientists increasingly assess interventions against misinformation mainly via truth discernment. However, pursuing truth discernment may not be sufficiently beneficial to...
www.nature.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:49 AM
As my students know all too well, this is one of my top frustrations.
We spend nearly all the time/money figuring out how big the hole is in the side of the ship and trying to convince others we measured right, and nearly none understanding how to rally people to fix the damn hole.
Great piece!
We spend nearly all the time/money figuring out how big the hole is in the side of the ship and trying to convince others we measured right, and nearly none understanding how to rally people to fix the damn hole.
Great piece!
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
My department is hiring an assistant professor of environmental behavioral sciences. The research area is open but we are particularly interested in people with research on collective action or computational social sciences.
Happy to answer questions about the Doerr School or the department.
Happy to answer questions about the Doerr School or the department.
Stanford | Faculty Positions: Details - Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Social Sciences (Environmental Behavioral Sciences)
facultypositions.stanford.edu
September 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
My department is hiring an assistant professor of environmental behavioral sciences. The research area is open but we are particularly interested in people with research on collective action or computational social sciences.
Happy to answer questions about the Doerr School or the department.
Happy to answer questions about the Doerr School or the department.
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
"Scientists and modelers have not merely warned of the #ClimateCrisis - they have also, often unwittingly, contributed to it by reinforcing an uncritical faith in technological salvation & sidelining more structural social transformations"
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
In tech we trust: A history of technophilia in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) climate mitigation expertise
This article examines the technocentric bias that characterizes climate mitigation literature, focusing on the reports of the IPCC's Working Group III…
www.sciencedirect.com
September 6, 2025 at 2:12 AM
"Scientists and modelers have not merely warned of the #ClimateCrisis - they have also, often unwittingly, contributed to it by reinforcing an uncritical faith in technological salvation & sidelining more structural social transformations"
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
Which behaviours help birds most — and can be changed?
Activist behaviours (e.g. donating, spreading enthusiasm) rank highest in impact & changeability.
A new framework for targeted conservation planning:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #BirdConservation #BehaviourChange
Activist behaviours (e.g. donating, spreading enthusiasm) rank highest in impact & changeability.
A new framework for targeted conservation planning:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #BirdConservation #BehaviourChange
September 4, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Which behaviours help birds most — and can be changed?
Activist behaviours (e.g. donating, spreading enthusiasm) rank highest in impact & changeability.
A new framework for targeted conservation planning:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #BirdConservation #BehaviourChange
Activist behaviours (e.g. donating, spreading enthusiasm) rank highest in impact & changeability.
A new framework for targeted conservation planning:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #BirdConservation #BehaviourChange
In person written assessments were the only things I could come up with last semester to help students actually learn. A few more ideas in here, but more needed. Please share if you’ve seen!
I don't like it but HIGH FREQUENCY, IN-PERSON assessments are the only way college students are going to learn anything this semester
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/o...
Opinion | Students Hate Them. Universities Need Them. The Only Real Solution to the A.I. Cheating Crisis.
www.nytimes.com
August 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
In person written assessments were the only things I could come up with last semester to help students actually learn. A few more ideas in here, but more needed. Please share if you’ve seen!
Good reminder of what LLMs are/aren’t: thebullshitmachines.com
Modern-Day Oracles or Bullshit Machines: Introduction
A free online humanities course about how to learn and work and thrive in an AI world.
thebullshitmachines.com
August 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Good reminder of what LLMs are/aren’t: thebullshitmachines.com
Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD
Those of us in STEM must vocally affirm that the humanities are our allies, and no department is expendable. Arguing we can survive by cutting whole disciplines isn’t just inhumane, it’s nonsensical. The humanities tell us why we’re here in the first place, and what to do about it! This isn’t hard!
Oh good. We've reached the "I don't have to be faster than the bear, I only have to be less woke than you" stage of faculty solidarity. archive.is/wGNDr
August 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Those of us in STEM must vocally affirm that the humanities are our allies, and no department is expendable. Arguing we can survive by cutting whole disciplines isn’t just inhumane, it’s nonsensical. The humanities tell us why we’re here in the first place, and what to do about it! This isn’t hard!