Robin Roth

Research Interests and Areas of Expertise

I identify as a broadly trained human-environment geographer with expertise in conservation governance and conflict, political ecology, livelihood change and Indigenous approaches to conservation. My work is characterized by empirical, field-based research informed by relevant theory, attentive to both discursive and related material processes, and committed to improving the social and ecological outcomes of environmental governance. I am also interested in decolonial and reconciliatory research practices that engage multiple knowledge systems.

Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership (SSHRC Partnership Grant)

A seven-year initiative that aims to critically investigate the state of conservation practice in Canada and support efforts to advance Indigenous-led conservation in the spirit of reconciliation and decolonization. I serve as PI and co-lead of the project whose objectives are to support the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and the transformation of existing protected areas. See the website to see who is involved and the work we are doing collectively. Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership

Canadian Conservation in Global Context: Intersections with Asia and Africa (SSHRC Insight Grant) PI (Co-PI is Elizabeth Lunstrum at York University)

The objectives of this project are to explore the transformation of conservation practice (inclusive of large-scale governance and day-to-day management) in Canada’s National Parks over the past two decades, particularly as it relates to three central themes: 1) the growth and impact of market-based and private sector interests in and around national parks 2) the increased involvement of international actors in conservation governance, particularly across borders and 3) a shift towards greater collaboration with aboriginal and local communities.

Website: Canadian Conservation in Global Context

Keywords: Political Ecology; Indigenous-led Conservation; Forest Governance; Decolonial theory; Southeast Asia and North America.

• Geog 2030 Environment and Development
• Geog 3210 Management of the Biophysical Environment
• Geog 3600 Geography of a Selected Region
• Geog 6100 Geographic Scholarship and Research

Bennett, Nathan, R. Roth , Klain, S., Chan, K., Clark, D., Cullman, G., Epstein, G., Nelson, P., Stedman, R., Teel, T., Thomas, R., Wyborn, C., Currans, D., Greenberg, A., Sandlos, J & Verissimo, D. (2017). Conservation social science: Understanding and integrating human dimensions to improve conservation. Biological Conservation. 205:93-108.

Bennett, N, Roth, R , Klain, S., Chan, K., Clark, D., Cullman, G., Epstein, G., Nelson, P., Stedman, R., Teel, T., Thomas, R., Wyborn, C., Currans, D., Greenberg, A., Sandlos, J & Verissimo, D. (2017). Mainstreaming the social sciences in conservation. Conservation Biology. 33(1):56-66.

Vandergeest, P and Roth R. (2016). A Southeast Asian Political Ecology. In Hirsch, P (ed) Routledge Handbook of the Environment in Southeast Asia. Routledge. Pp 82-98.

Bennett, N. J. & Roth, R. (eds.) (2015).The Conservation Social Sciences: What?, How? and Why? Vancouver, BC: Canadian Wildlife Federation and Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia.

Latt, S. and Roth, R. (2014) Agrarian Change and Ethnic Politics: Restructuring of Hmong and Shan Labour and Agricultural Production in Northern Thailand. Journal of Agrarian Change. doi: 10.1111/joac.12081

Roth, R. and W. Dressler (2012) Market-oriented conservation governance: the particularities of place. Intro to special issue. Geoforum. 43(3):363-366

Dressler, W. and R. Roth (2011) The Good, the Bad and the Contradictory. Neoliberal Conservation Governance in Rural Southeast Asia. World Development 39(5): 851-862

Roth R. (2009) The Challenges of Mapping Complex Indigenous Spatiality: from Abstract Space to Dwelling Space. Cultural Geographies 16:207-227

Roth, R (2008) ‘Fixing’ the Forest: The Spatiality of Conservation Conflict in Thailand. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 98 (2):373-391.

Rocheleau, D and Roth, R (2007) Rooted Networks, Relational Webs and Powers of Connection: Rethinking Human and Political Ecologies. Geoforum. 38 (2):433-437.

Conservation through Reconciliation

As PI of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership, I am interested in speaking with exceptional prospective MA or PhD students interested in advancing Indigenous conservation governance in Canada.

I am particularly interested in speaking with students who can work at the community level to help advance the conceptualization and practice of decolonized conservation or those who want to engage with advancing reconciliation within existing protected areas. Visit the website to see what the partnership has been up to and whether your interests are a good fit.