Oregon PSM

2012 WWF Social Science Internships 1-14

The following social science internships are available at World Wildlife Fund in Washington, DC. They are designed typically for graduate students, although some may be appropriate for advanced undergraduates. Projects can be undertaken over the summer (with extensions, as necessary, into the fall semester).

Most projects could also be extended over the course of one or two semesters as part of a student’s course work or thesis requirements; advance arrangements would be necessary with faculty advisors. Internships are typically unpaid unless otherwise noted, but facilities, library resources, and computers at WWF headquarters are available. To qualify for an unpaid internship, the student must provide documentation that they are receiving credit from their university, or that the work they will be performing is consistent with a course requirement.

In general, our interns need solid data management and writing skills, self-motivation, an ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Specific skills (required or preferred) are listed with each project, along with the primary contact person.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume/CV to the contact individual listed for each project, with “INTERNSHIP” and the relevant internship number listed in the subject line.
1. Protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) in North America (see other posting for info)
2. Protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) in Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean
3. Local Climate Action Assessment Intern
4. Moabi Intern
5. Climate Change & Constituency Building Intern
6. Associated Infrastructure Project Intern
7. Science-Policy Intern – Integrating ecosystem services into decision-making
8. Conservation Science Network internship
9. Fuller Science for Nature internship
10. Water and climate change adaptation intern
11. Linking Human Welfare and Conservation in Coastal East Africa
12. CSP Communications Intern
13. Reef conservation and governance database intern
14. Linking Birding to Birds

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1. Protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) in North America

Description:
Conservation policy assumes that protected areas are permanent, but reality suggests otherwise. WWF is analyzing patterns, trends, and causes of protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD), and their implications for the sustainability of conservation efforts. We seek an intern to assist with this research by investigating PADDD in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The intern will draw upon existing datasets (e.g., UNEP-WCMC), popular, gray, and peer-reviewed literatures, and personal communication to document and analyze instances of PADDD in North America. To inform conservation policy and practice, results will be shared widely across the conservation community via PADDDtracker.org (a geo-spatial wiki to be launched in spring 2012), and will be published in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Outputs may include maps and graphs of PADDD patterns, trends, causes, and conservation impacts.

Requirements:
Current enrollment in a graduate degree program in the social sciences, natural resource management/conservation, or related field. Preference will be given to candidates who will use PADDD research to work toward a Master’s thesis

Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills
Interest in conservation, particularly in North American protected area systems (US, Canada, Mexico)
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent communication skills
Desired:

Spanish language skills
Experience with Mendeley, EndNote, or other reference management software
Experience with database management
Experience with GIS and statistical analyses
Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for CV and cover letter: March 15, 2012

Contact: Roopa Krithivasan (roopa.krithivasan@wwfus.org)