UF Faculty Department College
Hayley Adams Department of Wildlife Forensic Sciences & Conservation College of Medicine
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Partner Faculty Department Partner Institution
Titus Adhola Department of Clinical Studies University of Nairobi
Title:
Multicultural Perspectives in Human-Wildlife Conflict
Project Description:

This course introduces students to the issues of Human Wildlife Conflict both in historical context and present day conservation.  We will explore a variety of solutions, including innovative and traditional agricultural practices, wildlife valuation as potential means of off-setting the cost of wildlife damage, and policy development at the local, regional, and national or international levels that aims to remediate this conflict.  Ultimately we must aim for prevention of HWC; however, until this goal is achieved, we must implement practical and culturally appropriate solutions.  

A portion of this course utilizes virtual exchange with faculty and students at the University of Nairobi to: introduce students to the complex variety of conservation based conflicts that exist globally, a majority of which are based in a cultural context that is different from that of the student’s own culture; and to allow students to participate in techniques for understanding conflicts, communication that goes beyond the surface of conflicts, and resolution of such conflicts in a multicultural setting that emphasizes diversity and multiple perspectives.  

Learning Outcomes:

SLO 1: Knowledge: exposure to and understanding of diverse perspectives—students will evaluate and apply diverse perspectives to complex subjects within conservation and human wildlife conflict,  in the face of multiple and even conflicting positions; and students will acquire foundational knowledge on the essence of community-based conservation and sustainable livelihoods at local and global contexts.

SLO 2: Attitudes: students will ask complex questions about other cultures, viewpoints, experiences, and perspectives, and will seek out and articulate answers to these questions that reflect multiple cultural perspectives; and students will learn to embrace inclusivity, diversity and cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity  in the science and practice of community-based conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

SLO 3: Skills: students will develop empathy, cultural knowledge, self-awareness, and cross-cultural communication through the interpretation of intercultural experience from their own perspectives and more than one worldview, and will demonstrate the ability to act in a supportive manner that recognizes the feelings of another cultural group; and students will provide transformational leadership and stewardship in wildlife management & conservation, locally and globally.

Participating Countries:
Kenya
Number of Participants:
28 UF students & 17 students from partner institution
Discipline:
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
UF Course Code & Name:
WIS6576 - Human-Wildlife Conflict
Project Duration:
6 weeks
Activity Type(s):
Student-to-Student Dialogue
Student-to-Student Project
Virtual Guest Speaker
Time allotted to each activity:
Synchronous activities: 2 hours
Asynchronous activities: 12 hours
Local group activities: 2 hours
Individual work: 4 hours
Technology Tools:
Flipgrid
Padlet or Jamboard
Whatsapp
Email
Zoom
Sequence of Activities:

Students held informal interviews with each other and chose from a list of questions related to their cultural background, life experience, interests, career goals, and/or issues related to conservation. Kipeto staff conservationists provided a guest lecture and students prepareed a position paper based on the stakeholder positions (i.e. community members, development/management, and conservationists or the specific endangered species involved) outlining their needs, priorities, and defining their potential areas of conflict, then presented to the class. 

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