College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Community Sustainability

Advisor: Dr. Maria Claudia Lopez

In general, my graduate work will focus on understanding the perception and participation of the local community in the social forestry program in Indonesia and to what extent the perception and participation of the local community in this program supports forest sustainability and improves the well-being of local communities.  Social forestry is Indonesia's national priority for rural development and poverty alleviation in areas surrounding forests. The success of this program hinges on understanding and addressing the perceptions of community members and fostering their active involvement. My particular area of research is in Papua and West Papua provinces, Indonesia.