Stephen Elser

Most broadly, I'm interested in applying scientific knowledge in the decision making process to help create more equitable, verdant, and resilient communities in the face of climate change.

More specifically, I study the benefits (ecosystem services) that people get from nature-based solutions (NBS) in cities. In particular, I study how stakeholders perceive those NBS features and their benefits, the measurable benefits that different NBS provide, and how local practitioners prioritize NBS and ecosystem services when planning for long term urban resilience. My research uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to make comparisons across and within cities.

I believe it is essential for science to be accessible in order to actually be used. It is not enough for scientists to just publish journal srticles and hope that their research finds its way to the public. In that vein, I also am passionate about science communication. I am a co-creator of Future Cities: an award winning podcast led by early career scientists that aims to increase awarenss of, and catalyze action on, urban resilience.

In my career, I want to work at the intersection of science and policy.

My areas of expertise include: climate adaptation, resilience, sustainability, nature-based solutions, ecosystem services, cities, urban ecology, aquatic ecology, ecosystem ecology, biogeogeochemistry, scenarios, and more.