kaichan
Kai Chan is an associate professor and Canada Research Chair (tier 2, in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). His training spans conservation biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, policy, and ethics, and his skill sets include quantitative analysis and modeling. Kai combines these perspectives in a sustainability science research program on social-ecological interactions (including human impacts on ecosystem components and processes, and ecosystem services to benefit people) and applied environmental ethics to inform ecosystem-based management and sustainability solutions. Kai leads CHAN’S lab; he is a director on the board of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s BC chapter (CPAWS-BC), a senior fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program, and a member of the Global Young Academy.
To see Kai’s page at CHAN’S lab click here.
López de la Lama et al., Not in it for the money
López de la Lama, R., N. Bennett, J. Bulkan, S. de la Puente and K.M.A. Chan (2024). “Not in it for the money: Meaningful relationships sustain voluntary land conservation initiatives in Peru.” People and Nature 6(2): 818-832. Doi: 10.1002/pan3.10600
Naito et al., Conservation messaging
Naito, R., K.M.A. Chan and J. Zhao (2024). “Combating the exotic pet trade: Effects of conservation messaging on attitudes, demands, and civic intentions.” Conservation Science and Practice 6(2): e13078. Doi: 10.1111/csp2.13078
Benessaiah & Chan, Why reconnect to nature in times of crisis?
Benessaiah, K. and K.M. Chan (2023). “Why reconnect to nature in times of crisis? Ecosystem contributions to the resilience and well-being of people going back to the land in Greece.” People and Nature 5(6): 2026-2047. Doi: 10.1002/pan3.10546
Rumi Naito defends her PhD
Congratulations to Rumi for an excellent PhD defence! “Messaging for wildlife conservation: leveraging attitudes, intentions, and actions for transformative change” With co-supervisor Jiaying Zhao, Rumi’s supervisory committee included Robin Naidoo, Jeff Sayer, and Intu Boedhihartono. Her external examiner was Kathryn Williams of the University of Melbourne, and her UBC examiners were Dave Hardisty and Daniel Weary. Bravo, Rumi!
CHANS Lab researchers depict how machine learning can suffer data leakage
In a new paper in Nature Ecology & Evolution, Andy Stock, Ed Gregr, and Kai Chan demonstrate how many routine applications of machine learning can inadvertently “leak data”, undermining accurate predictions.
Sánchez et al., Climate change and rainbow trout habitat
Sánchez, C., E.J. Gregr, E.A. Parkinson and K.M.A. Chan (2023). “The benefits of climate change mitigation to retaining rainbow trout habitat in British Columbia, Canada.” Regional Environmental Change 23(3): 108. 10.1007/s10113-023-02097-0
Stock et al., Problems with machine learning in ecology
Stock, A., E.J. Gregr and K.M.A. Chan (2023). “Data leakage jeopardizes ecological applications of machine learning.” Nature Ecology & Evolution 7(11): 1743–1745. Doi: 10.1038/s41559-023-02162-1
Aaron’s bat research covered by CBC
Especially following the discovery of the fungus that causes White Nose Syndrome, Aaron Aguirre’s bat research has received welcome attention from the media. Check out this <2-minute segment on CBC.
Lea Anderson defends her MA thesis
Congratulations to Lea for her outstanding MA thesis defence! Her examiner was Terre Satterfield, and her supervisory committee included Mollie Chapman and Barbara Muraca. Lea’s thesis, “Seeking transformative lifestyles: a role for social media influencers in creating sustainable futures” is now available.
Kai’s TEDx talk is online
Special Agents, Rubik’s Cubes, and How to Solve the Climate Crisis | Kai Chan | TEDxSurrey
In a planetary crisis, action enables hope. But it’s daunting to try to live sustainably in an unsustainable system. Professor and change-agent Dr. Kai Chan shares stories of triumph and challenge in international policy for nature, and finding the real key to a better future on Earth: you. You are already part of the solution to our many-sided puzzle of climate, ecology, and equity. Join the conversation here. Dr. Kai Chan loves science, play, fitness, and inspiring action for a planet both better and wilder. Check him out @ CoSphere.net