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Dave White joined Arizona State University in 2001. He serves as Deputy Director of the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, Director of the Decision Center for a Desert City, Interim Director of the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service, and Professor in the School of Community Resources Development. White is internationally-recognized for his contributions to science in support of sustainability. He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles advancing numerous fields including decision science, science and technology studies, sustainability science, and natural resources management. His work has also been covered in popular media including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and National Public Radio.
Professor White's research develops theory and methods to understand and enhance the positive societal impact of science for sustainability. He is committed use-inspired research with true global impact. White is an inaugural fellow of the PLuS Alliance, with joint appointments across ASU, Kings College London, and University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia. White was an inaugural fellow of the Global Security Initiative at ASU. He is a recipient of the President's Medal for Social Embeddedness from Arizona State University and the Celebrating Natural Resources Award from the University of Idaho.
White is also a faculty affiliate in ASU's School of Sustainability, School of Public Affairs, School for the Future of Innovation and Society, Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes, Center for Biodiversity Outcomes and Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems.
Graduate Faculty:
The overarching goal of my scholarship is to create knowledge that advances scientific understanding of how people relate to the natural environment and also empowers individuals, communities, and institutions to make better decisions about natural resources. The broader impact of my work lies in developing theory and methods for linking knowledge to action for sustainable resource management.
My research with the ASU Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) has developed and studied processes, outcomes, and institutional forms of boundary organizations for the co-production of knowledge and decisions; identified divergent perspectives between stakeholder groups at the science-policy nexus; and tested competing methods for gathering information on sensitive topics from decision makers. This work has contributed to the development and refinement of new tools and techniques for collaborative environmental decision making such as the DCDC WaterSim model.
My research in the area of public understanding of science examines how individuals actively construct and strategically employ available cultural notions of science to explain the relations between citizens, science, and resource policy in democratic process. This work unites framing analysis and discourse analysis to examine the meso-level discursive strategies used by policy actors to build support for their preferred outcomes, undermine the positions of competing actors, and depict the issues surrounding resource management. The broader impact of this work comes from the implications for improving policy deliberations for collaborative environmental management.
I also conduct research is to further our understanding of human-environment interactions in America’s National Parks and other conservation areas. In this work, I employ social-psychological theories and both quantitative and qualitative techniques to understand cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions of human experiences in natural and cultural landscapes.
Hondula, D. M., Sabo, J. L., Quay, R., Chester, M., Georgescu, M., Grimm, N. B., ... & White, D. (2019). Cities of the Southwest are testbeds for urban resilience. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 17(2), 79-80.https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fee.2005
Sullivan, A., & White, D. D. (2019). An assessment of public perceptions of climate change risk in three western US cities. Weather, Climate, and Society, 11(2), 449-463. https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/full/10.1175/WCAS-D-18-0068.1
Sullivan, A., White, D. D., & Hanemann, M. (2019). Designing collaborative governance: Insights from the drought contingency planning process for the lower Colorado River basin. Environmental Science & Policy, 91, 39-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2018.10.011
Rice, J., Stotts, R., Wutich, A., White, D., Maupin, J., & Brewis, A. (2018). Motivators for treated wastewater acceptance across developed and developing contexts. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2018.285
White, D. D., Lawless, K. L., Vivoni, E. R., Mascaro, G., Pahle, R., Kumar, I., ... & Asfora, M. (2018). Co‐Producing interdisciplinary knowledge and action for sustainable water governance: Lessons from the development of a water resources decision support system in Pernambuco, Brazil. Global Challenges, 1800012. https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.201800012
Bohn, T. J., Vivoni, E. R., Mascaro, G., & White, D. D. (2018). Land and water use changes in the US–Mexico border region, 1992–2011. Environmental Research Letters, 13(11), 114005. http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aae53e/meta
du Bray, M., Wutich, A., Larson, K. L., White, D. D., Brewis, A. (2018). Anger and sadness: Gendered emotional responses to climate threats in four island nations. Cross-Cultural Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069397118759252
White, D. D., Jones, J. L., Maciejewski, R., Aggarwal, R., & Mascaro, G. (2017). Stakeholder Analysis for the Food-Energy-Water Nexus in Phoenix, Arizona: Implications for Nexus Governance. Sustainability, 9(12), 2204. http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/12/2204
Werth, S., White, D., & Bliss, D. W. (2017). GRACE Detected Rise of Groundwater in the Sahelian Niger River Basin. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017JB014845/full
du Bray, M. V., Wutich, A., Larson, K. L., White, D. D., & Brewis, A. (2017). Emotion, Coping, and Climate Change in Island Nations: Implications for Environmental Justice. Environmental Justice, 10(4), 102-107. http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/env.2016.0025
Sullivan, A., White, D. D., Larson, K. L., & Wutich, A. (2017). Towards Water Sensitive Cities in the Colorado River Basin: A Comparative Historical Analysis to Inform Future Urban Water Sustainability Transitions. Sustainability, 9(5), 761. http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/5/761/htm
Sullivan, A., York, A., White, D., Hall, S., & Yabiku, S. (2017). De jure versus de facto institutions: trust, information, and collective efforts to manage the invasive mile-a-minute weed (Mikania micrantha). International Journal of the Commons, 11(1). https://www.thecommonsjournal.org/articles/10.18352/ijc.676/print/
Gober, P., White, D. D., Quay, R., Sampson, D. A., & Kirkwood, C. W. (2017). Socio-hydrology modelling for an uncertain future, with examples from the USA and Canada. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 408(1), 183-199. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP408.2
Rice, J., Wutich, A., White, D. D., & Westerhoff, P. (2016). Comparing Actual De Facto Wastewater Reuse and its Public Acceptability: A Three City Case Study. Sustainable Cities and Society. doi:10.1016/j.scs.2016.06.007
Gober, P., Sampson, D. A., Quay, R., White, D. D., & Chow, W. T. (2016). Urban adaptation to mega-drought: Anticipatory water modeling, policy, and planning for the urban Southwest. Sustainable Cities and Society, 27, 497-504. doi:10.1016/j.scs.2016.05.001
Larson, K. L., Stotts, R., Wutich, A., Brewis, A., & White, D. (2016). Cross-Cultural Perceptions of Water Risks and Solutions Across Select Sites. Society & Natural Resources, 29(9), 1049-1064. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08941920.2015.1122132
Moreno, H. A., Gupta, H. V., White, D. D., & Sampson, D. A. (2016). Modeling the distributed effects of forest thinning on the long-term water balance and streamflow extremes for a semi-arid basin in the southwestern US. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 20(3), 1241-1267. doi:10.5194/hess-20-1241-2016
Sampson, D., Quay, R., & White, D. D. (2016). Anticipatory modeling for water supply sustainability in Phoenix, Arizona. Environmental Science & Policy, 55, 36-46. doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2015.08.014
Mascaro, G., White, D. D., Westerhoff, P., and Bliss, N. (2015), Performance of the CORDEX-Africa regional climate simulations in representing the hydrological cycle of the Niger River basin, Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, 120(24), 12425-12444. doi:10.1002/2015JD023905.
Larson, K. L., White, D. D., Gober, P., & Wutich, A. (2015). Decision-making under uncertainty for water sustainability and urban climate change adaptation. Sustainability, 7(11), 14761-14784. doi:10.3390/su71114761
Keeler, L. W., Wiek, A., White, D. D., & Sampson, D. A. (2015). Linking stakeholder survey, scenario analysis, and simulation modeling to explore the long-term impacts of regional water governance regimes. Environmental Science & Policy, 48, 237-249. doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2015.01.006
White, D. D., Wutich, A. Y., Larson, K. L., & Lant, T. (2015). Water management decision makers’ evaluations of uncertainty in a decision support system: The case of WaterSim in the decision theater. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 58(4), 616-630. DOI:10.1080/09640568.2013.875892
White, D. D., Keeler, L., Wiek, A., & Larson, K. L. (2015). Envisioning the future of water governance: A survey of central Arizona water decision makers. Environmental Practice, 17(01), 25-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1466046614000489
Bausch, J. C., Eakin, H., Smith-Heisters, S., York, A. M., White, D. D., Rubiños, C., & Aggarwal, R. M. (2015). Development pathways at the agriculture–urban interface: The case of Central Arizona. Agriculture and Human Values, 32(4), 743-759. DOI:10.1007/s10460-015-9589-8
Wutich, A., White, A. C., White, D. D., Larson, K.L., Brewis, A., & Roberts, C. (2014). Hard paths, soft paths or no paths? Cross-cultural perceptions of water solutions. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 18(1), 109-120. doi:10.5194/hess-18-109-2014
White, D. D. (2013). Framing water sustainability in an environmental decision support system. Society & Natural Resources, 26(11), 1365-1373. doi:10.1080/08941920.2013.788401
Taff, D., Newman, P., Pettebone, D., White, D. D., Lawson, S. R., Monz, C., & Vagias, W. M. (2013). Dimensions of alternative transportation experience in Yosemite and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Journal of Transport Geography, 30, 37-46. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013.02.010
Childs, C., York, A. M., White, D. D., Schoon, M. L., & Bodner, G. S. (2013). Navigating a murky adaptive comanagement governance network: Agua Fria Watershed, Arizona, USA. Ecology and Society, 18(4):11. http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol18/iss4/art11/
Quay, R, Larson, K. L., & White, D. D. (2013). Enhancing water sustainability through university policy collaborations: Experiences and lessons from researchers and decision-makers. Water Resources IMPACT, AWRA 15(2), 17-19.
White, D. D., Tschuor, S., & Byrne, B. (2012). Assessing and modeling visitors’ evaluations of park road conditions in Yosemite National Park. George Wright Forum, 29(3), 308–321.
Cutts, B. B., White, D. D., & Kinzig, A. P. (2011). Participatory geographic information systems for the co-production of science and policy in an emerging boundary organization. Environmental Science and Policy, 14(8), 977–985. doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2011.05.012
Larson, K. L., Wutich, A., White, D. D., Muñoz-Erickson, T. A., & Harlan, S. L. (2011). Multifaceted perspectives on water risks and policies: A cultural domains approach in a southwestern city. Human Ecology Review, 18(1), 75-87. http://www.humanecologyreview.org/pastissues/her181/larson.pdf
Larson, K. L., Ibes, D. C., & White, D. D. (2011). Gendered perspectives about water risks and policy strategies: A tripartite conceptual approach. Environment and Behavior, 43(3), 415-438. doi:10.1177/0013916510365253
White, D. D., Aquino, J. F., Budruk, M., & Golub, A. (2011) Visitors’ experiences of traditional and alternative transportation in Yosemite National Park. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 29(1), 38-57. http://js.sagamorepub.com/jpra/article/view/19
White, D. D., Wutich, A., Larson, K. L., Lant, T., Gober, P., & Senneville, C. (2010). Credibility, salience, and legitimacy of boundary objects: Water managers’ assessment of a simulation model in an immersive decision theater. Science & Public Policy (SPP), 37(3), 219-232. doi:10.3152/030234210X497726
Wutich, A., Lant, T., White, D. D., Larson, K. L., & Gartin, M. (2010). Comparing focus group and individual responses on sensitive topics: A study of water decision-makers in a desert city. Field Methods, 22(1), 88-110. doi:10.1177/1525822X09349918
Larson, K. L., White, D. D., Gober, P., Harlan, S., and Wutich, A. (2009). Divergent perspectives on water resource sustainability in a public–policy–science context. Environmental Science and Policy, 12, 1012-1023. doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2009.07.012
White, D. D., Virden, R. J., & van Riper, C. J. (2008). Effects of place identity, place dependence, and experience-use-history on perceptions of recreation impacts in a natural setting. Environmental Management, 42, 647-657. doi:10.1007/s00267-008-9143-1
Youngs, Y. L., White, D. D., and Wodrich, J. A. (2008). Transportation systems as cultural landscapes in national parks: The case of Yosemite. Society & Natural Resources, 21(9), 797-811. doi:10.1080/08941920801942065
Budruk, M., White, D. D., Wodrich, J. A., and van Riper, C. J. (2008). Connecting visitors to people and place: Visitors’ perceptions of authenticity at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. Journal of Heritage Tourism 3(3), 1-18. doi:10.1080/17438730802139004
White, D. D. (2008). A structural model of leisure constraints negotiation in outdoor recreation. Leisure Sciences, 30, 342-359. doi:10.1080/01490400802165131
Hall, T. E. and White, D. D. (2008). Representing recovery: Discourses of science and local control in the framing of U.S. Pacific Northwest salmon policy. Human Ecology Review 15(1), 32-45. http://ajph.humanecologyreview.org/pastissues/her151/hallandwhite.pdf
White, D. D., Corley, E. A., and White, M. S. (2008). Water managers’ perceptions of the science-policy interface in Phoenix, Arizona: Implications for an emerging boundary organization. Society & Natural Resources 21(3), 1-14. doi:10.1080/08941920701329678
White, D. D. (2007). An interpretive study of Yosemite National Park visitors’ perspectives toward alternative transportation in Yosemite Valley. Environmental Management, 39(1), 50-62. doi:10.1007/s00267-006-0061-9
Nyaupane, G., White, D. D., and Budruk, M. (2006). Motive-based tourist market segmentation: An application to Native American cultural heritage sites in Arizona, USA. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 1(2), 81-99. doi:10.2167/jht010.0
White, D. D., Waskey, M. T., Foti, P. E., and Brodehl, G. (2006). A comparative study of impacts to mountain bike trails in five common ecological regions of the southwest United States. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 24(2), 21-41. http://js.sagamorepub.com/jpra/article/view/1406
White, D. D., and Hall, T. E. (2006). Public understanding of science in Pacific Northwest salmon recovery policy. Society & Natural Resources, 19(4), 305-320. doi:10.1080/08941920500519172
White, D. D., Virden, R. J., and Cahill, K. L. (2005). Visitor experiences in National Park Service cultural sites in Arizona: Implications for interpretive planning and management. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 23(3), 63-81. http://js.sagamorepub.com/jpra/article/view/1428
Caulkins, M. C., White, D. D., and Russell, K. C. (2006). The role of physical exercise in wilderness therapy for troubled adolescent women. Journal of Experiential Education 29(1), 18-37. doi:10.1177/105382590602900104
White, D. D., Hall, T. E., and Farrell, T. A. (2001). Influence of ecological impacts and other campsite characteristics on wilderness visitors’ campsite choices. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 19(2), 83-97.
Farrell, T. A., Hall, T. E., and White, D. D. (2001). Wilderness campers’ perception and evaluation of campsite impacts. Journal of Leisure Research, 33(3), 229-250. http://search.proquest.com/docview/201195302
| Fall 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| SOS 493 | Honors Thesis |
| SOS 792 | Research |
| SOS 799 | Dissertation |
| Summer 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| SOS 792 | Research |
| Spring 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| SOS 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| SOS 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| SOS 590 | Reading and Conference |
| GCU 593 | Applied Project |
| CRD 683 | Fieldwork |
| SOS 792 | Research |
| SOS 799 | Dissertation |
| Fall 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| PRM 370 | Public Lands Management |
| SOS 792 | Research |
| SOS 799 | Dissertation |
| Summer 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| CRD 494 | Special Topics |
| SOS 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CRD 598 | Special Topics |
| SOS 792 | Research |
| Spring 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| PUP 484 | Internship |
| HON 484 | Internship |
| SOS 484 | Internship |
| SOS 590 | Reading and Conference |
| SOS 591 | Seminar |
| GCU 593 | Applied Project |
| SOS 599 | Thesis |
| CRD 683 | Fieldwork |
| SOS 792 | Research |
| Fall 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| PRM 370 | Public Lands Management |
| SOS 591 | Seminar |
| SOS 592 | Research |
| SOS 599 | Thesis |
| CRD 690 | Reading and Conference |
| Summer 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| CRD 494 | Special Topics |
| SOS 590 | Reading and Conference |
| SOS 592 | Research |
| CRD 598 | Special Topics |
| SOS 792 | Research |
| Spring 2018 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| SOS 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| SOS 592 | Research |
| SOS 596 | Capstone: Scientific Paper |
| CRD 683 | Fieldwork |
| Fall 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| SOS 592 | Research |
| CRD 599 | Thesis |
| CRD 799 | Dissertation |
| Summer 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| CRD 799 | Dissertation |
| Spring 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| SOS 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| PRM 493 | Honors Thesis |
| SOS 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CRD 592 | Research |
| CRD 683 | Fieldwork |
| CRD 799 | Dissertation |
| Fall 2016 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| PRM 370 | Public Lands Management |
| CRD 599 | Thesis |
| Summer 2016 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| CRD 792 | Research |
| CRD 799 | Dissertation |
| Spring 2016 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| PRM 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CRD 592 | Research |
| CRD 599 | Thesis |
| CRD 683 | Fieldwork |
| CRD 792 | Research |
| CRD 799 | Dissertation |
