Research/Publications

Teaching

Service

Main areas of current research

1. Metaphor, environmental science and society.

My dissertation focused on the role of metaphor in linked socio-ecological systems.  In brief, we often treat scientific metaphors as if they are “facts,” but in many cases they carry “values” too.  Further, environmental scientists often use them to sell particular facts – particular ways of seeing.  My research in this area considers the ethical implications of particular ecological and evolutionary metaphors. 

These ideas are developed in two book projects:

The Metaphoric Web: Environmental Metaphors and Sustainability (Yale University Press, 2011)

AND

2. Social dimensions of invasion biology.

My interest in ecological metaphors encouraged me to revisit invasion biology, a field I first encountered as a biologist.  My recent papers have concerned various linguistic, philosophical and social dimensions of invasion biology.  They have critiqued some of our assumptions about these species, yet have also sought alternative ways of conceiving them.  I also realized that we need to understand how other stakeholders think about this and other problems if we are to approach them more maturely.  Thus, my students and I have begun a series of projects on stakeholder perceptions of invasive species.

I have funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC, Standard Research Grant, 2008-2012) for a project entitled, "Stakeholder perspectives of invasive species affecting Canadian forests.”  This project will use Q methodology to characterize how people involved with case studies across Canada conceptualize invasive species.  Its results will have not only theoretical benefits, but also contribute to the formation of future policy related to the challenges posed by invasive species. 

3. Social dimensions of Ontario biodiversity conservation.

I have funding from SSHRC (Strategic Research Grant - Canadian Environmental Issues, 2009-2012) for a second project entitled, "Biodiversity science and conservation in southern Ontario: historical, contemporary, and spatial dimensions," with S. Bocking (Trent U.) and G. Whitelaw (Queen's U).

 

Research Grants/Projects:

• Stakeholder perspectives of invasive species affecting Canadian forests
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
  • Grant Period: 2008-2012
• Biodiversity science and conservation in southern Ontario: historical, contemporary, and spatial dimensions
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
  • Grant Period: 2009-2013

Contact Brendon Larson for more information on research opportunities.

Graduate Student Supervision:

	# of students currently supervising/co-supervising	Total # of student supervisions/co-supervisions
Masters	4	5
PhD	-	-

 

If you're interested in doing research that critically examines environmental science and its role in society, please read on and/or contact me (email is best).

I have funding for graduate students for fall 2011, so please contact me if you’re interested (see SSHRC below).

Find out more about my interests and life experiences.

Recent/Key Publications:

• Larson, B.  2011. The Metaphoric Web: Environmental Metaphors and Sustainability.  Accepted by Yale University Press.
• Mackenzie, B. F. and B. M. H. Larson.  2010.  Participation under time constraints: Landowner perceptions of rapid response to the emerald ash borer.  Society and Natural Resources (online first, DOI: 10.1080/08941920903339707).
• Larson, B. M. H. Embodied realism and invasive species. In press in K. de Laplante and K. Peacock (eds.). Philosophy of Ecology and Conservation Biology. Handbook of the Philosophy of Science, Elsevier.
• Nerlich, B., Elliot, R. and B. Larson, editors.  2009.  Communicating Biological Sciences: Ethical and Metaphorical Dimensions.  Ashgate.
• Larson, B. M. H. 2007. An alien approach to invasive species: Objectivity and society in invasion biology. Biological Invasions 9: 947–956.
• Larson, B. M. H. 2007. DNA barcoding: The social frontier. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 5: 437–442.
• Larson, B. M. H. 2007. Who’s invading what? Systems thinking about invasive species. Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences 87: 993-999.
• Larson, B. M. H. 2006. The social resonance of competitive and progressive evolutionary metaphors. BioScience 56: 997-1004.
• Larson, B. M. H. 2005. The war of the roses: Demilitarizing invasion biology. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 3: 495-500.
• Larson, B. M. H. and S. C. H. Barrett.  2000.  A comparative analysis of pollen limitation in flowering plants.  Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 69:  503-520.
• Larson, B. M. H. and S. C. H. Barrett.  1999.  The ecology of pollen limitation in buzz-pollinated Rhexia virginica (Melastomataceae). Journal of Ecology 87:  371-381.

Read a complete list of publications.

Please email me if you would like a copy of any of my recent papers.

Teaching

Fall 2010

ERS 110, ERS Introductory Course: Environmental Analysis and Solutions I: Transdisciplinary Foundations

Winter 2011
ERS 410, ERS Capstone: Environmental Analysis and Solutions VI: Transforming Ecosocial Systems

Spring 2011
ERS 283, Ontario Natural History: Species and Patterns
I will hold this eight-day block field course at Grebe Lodge on the Bruce Peninsula from June 17-25, 2011. The course also includes online components leading up to the field portion of the course.

 

Current service

Among other commitments, my two major areas of service are the following:

• Faculty-at-Large representative, Academic Senate, University of Waterloo
• President, Board of Directors, Ontario Nature (an organization with 7,000 members that also represents ~30,000 Ontarians who are members of 145 affiliated organizations)

 

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