Cristina Watkins

Cristina Watkins headshot

757-900-9913

Cristina Watkins is a recent PhD graduate from the University of Tennessee. Her research investigates human dimensions and economic issues in natural resource management. She earned a B.A. in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia and spent time working with Teach for America in North Carolina after graduation. She then earned a master’s degree in forestry and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Tennessee. She enjoys combining a variety of social science theories and methods to answer management and policy questions in natural resource conservation and management and specializes in survey research. She is excited to use her skills to research markets and consumer preferences for aquaculture products with the Virginia Seafood AREC. When she is not working, she enjoys exploring new places and hiking with her husband and Siberian husky.

Ph.D., Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, 2020

M.S., Forestry, University of Tennessee, 2017

B.A., Environmental Science, University of Virginia, 2013

In her research, Watkins uses quantitative and qualitative environmental social science methods to contribute to the conservation and management of natural resources. In her current work, she focuses on stakeholder preferences and attitudes towards aquaculture and fisheries management. Broadly speaking, her research focuses in the following areas:

Public perceptions of wildlife & fisheries management
Trust in natural resource management
Developing social license to operate
Valuation of non-market resources (conservation efforts, environmental damage, etc.)

Watkins, C. E. & Poudyal, N. C. (2021). The roles of risk perceptions and social trust in willingness to pay for wildlife reintroduction. Society & Natural Resources, Doi: 10.1080/08941920.2021.1897198
Watkins, C., Poudyal, N. C., Jones, R., Muller, L., Hodges, D. (2021). Risk perception, trust and support for wildlife reintroduction and conservation. Journal of Environmental Conservation, Doi: 10.1017/S0376892921000011.
Chapagain, B. P., Poudyal, N. C., Watkins, C. (2021). A travel cost analysis of elk viewing opportunity generated from an elk reintroduction project in Tennessee. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2020.1864067.
Chapagain, B. P., Poudyal, N. C., Joshi, O., & Watkins, C. (2020). Seasonal and regional differences in economic benefits of turkey hunting. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 44(2): 271-280. doi: 10.1002/wsb.1093.
Poudyal, N. C., Watkins, C., & Joshi, O. (2020). Economic contribution of wildlife management areas to local and state economies. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 25(3): 291-295. doi: 10.1080/10871209.2020.1716114.
Watkins, C., Caplenor, C. A., Poudyal, N. C., Muller, L. I., & Yoest, C. (2019). Comparing landowner support for wild hog management options in Tennessee. Journal of Environmental Management. 232: 722-728. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.11.075.
Watkins, C., Poudyal, N. C., Caplenor, C., Buehler, D. Applegate, R. (2018). Motivation and support for regulatory changes: A typology of wild turkey hunters in Tennessee. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 23(5): 433-445. doi: 10.1080/10871209.2018.1466010.
Poudyal, N. C., Caplenor, C., Joshi, O., Maldonado, C., Miller, L., Yoest, C. (2017). Characterizing the economic value and impacts of wild hog damage on a rural economy. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 22(6): 538-549. doi: 10.1080/10871209.2017.1368103.