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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

@metcalfhdlab.bsky.social

920 followers 210 following 76 posts

Associate Professor and Director of the UM Human Dimensions Lab Behavioral science and social-psychology | Human relationships with wildlife & the environment | Conservation social science | Mixed methods

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Nov 16

Fun to write this piece for the @us.theconversation.com on the human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation

Grizzly bear conservation is as much about human relationships as it is the animals

Whether people are hunters can have a big effect.

theconversation.com

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · 1d

I have a cool new colleague!

“UM names endowed chair of forest conservation program” missoulacurrent.com/um-forest-co...

UM names endowed chair of forest conservation program

The position will oversee student training in forest processes and functions, and field-based knowledge that prepares students to address emerging issues in forest management.

missoulacurrent.com

Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · 3d

I have four (!) papers that have been in review so long that my mind, energy, and entire lab has moved on yet they still linger waiting for the minor-ist of edits to make their way through the never ending gauntlet of reviewer/AE/editor back and forth checkboxing. Good lord this system is broken.

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Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

Sechindra Vallury @sechindra.bsky.social · 17d

Multiple funded Ph.D. and Master's positions in my lab. Topics broadly cover climate and agricultural adaptation, and energy & water governance (U.S. & Global South). Apply by Dec 1, 2025.

Details: www.sechindravallury.com/graduate-opp...

Please share with prospective students!

Agriculture & Environmental Sustainability

Funded Ph.D. and Master's positions at UGA.

www.sechindravallury.com

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Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

Jay Van Bavel, PhD @jayvanbavel.bsky.social · 21d

People across the political spectrum suddenly agree that social media can lead to political violence and online calls for civil war have skyrocketed

I explain how social media rewards negativity, division and hostility--and what we can all do about it: www.powerofusnewsletter.com/p/social-med...

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Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 23d

You are not Making a Difference there. You are not Fighting the Good Fight. You are not even Maintaining a Community you couldn't easily replicate elsewhere.

You are propping up a right-wing site and, worse, you are being warped by your constant exposure to it and you don't even realize it.

Leave.

Jack McGovan @jackmcgovan.bsky.social · 23d

No matter what #Musk says or does, many on the left continue to post on and pay for X, a clear example of how progressive movements are beholden to the narrative that we don't have to change anything at all about our lives to achieve our political goals.

I wrote about why that's bad in July ⬇️

X reveals a weakness in left-wing rhetoric

Good principles mean nothing when you materially support a fascist propaganda machine.

www.sower.world

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · 24d

These “America divided” and “Surge of violence” headlines can manifest a reality that doesn’t exist. They’re irresponsible, dangerous, and false. Don’t listen.

Here’s a Republican pollster’s take:

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/o...

Opinion | Politicians Are Polarized. American Voters, Not So Much.

www.nytimes.com

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · 25d

A dynamic that's informed my research seems too relevant today: Democrats & Republicans WAY over-estimate each other's support for violence. Like by 250-400%!
The danger is that assuming OTHERS support violence means YOU support more violence. Correcting these false assumptions takes down the tone.

Correcting inaccurate metaperceptions reduces Americans’ support for partisan violence | PNAS

Scholars, policy makers, and the general public have expressed growing concern about the possibility of large-scale political violence in the Unite...

doi.org

Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · 28d

ROUSes?

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · 28d

The “Met-ells” Lab’s first MS student Anna Baize absolutely nailing her talk on prioritizing bear attractants using decision science! Pareto frontier! #Pathways2025

Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Sep 8

Great talk by @danialnayeri.bsky.social on why and when different people support the complicated topic of killing wildlife to achieve conservation outcomes! #Pathways2025

Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Sep 8

Brianna Lipp, Human Dimensions of Wildlife MS student in the Lab, absolutely CRUSHING her talk on social identity theory in wildlife research at #Pathways2025

Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Sep 8

For example, consider: “Only 0.12% of all research funding was spent on the social science of climate mitigation.”

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

The misallocation of climate research funding

The window of opportunity for mitigating climate change is narrow. Limiting global warming to 1.5°C will require rapid and deep alteration of attitude…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Sep 8

As my students know all too well, this is one of my top frustrations.

We spend nearly all the time/money figuring out how big the hole is in the side of the ship and trying to convince others we measured right, and nearly none understanding how to rally people to fix the damn hole.

Great piece!

Tobia Spampatti, PhD @tspampatti.bsky.social · Sep 8

In this new Commentary in @natclimate.nature.com, I reflect on the recent focus on truth discernment in #misinfo research and argue that this outcome alone may not be beneficial to society if interventions do not improve behaviour and other outcomes because... 1/

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Truth discernment may not help to overcome misinformation

Nature Climate Change - Scientists increasingly assess interventions against misinformation mainly via truth discernment. However, pursuing truth discernment may not be sufficiently beneficial to...

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

James Holland Jones @juemos.bsky.social · Sep 7

My department is hiring an assistant professor of environmental behavioral sciences. The research area is open but we are particularly interested in people with research on collective action or computational social sciences.

Happy to answer questions about the Doerr School or the department.

Stanford | Faculty Positions: Details - Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Social Sciences (Environmental Behavioral Sciences)

facultypositions.stanford.edu

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Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

Dr. Aaron Thierry @thierryaaron.bsky.social · Sep 6

"Scientists and modelers have not merely warned of the #ClimateCrisis - they have also, often unwittingly, contributed to it by reinforcing an uncritical faith in technological salvation & sidelining more structural social transformations"

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

In tech we trust: A history of technophilia in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) climate mitigation expertise

This article examines the technocentric bias that characterizes climate mitigation literature, focusing on the reports of the IPCC's Working Group III…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

Ecosystems and People @esandpeople.bsky.social · Sep 4

Which behaviours help birds most — and can be changed?
Activist behaviours (e.g. donating, spreading enthusiasm) rank highest in impact & changeability.
A new framework for targeted conservation planning:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #BirdConservation #BehaviourChange

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Aug 31

Had a reviewer tell me recently to drop the figures because everything could be included in a table 🤦🏽 - I did not comply.

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Aug 26

In person written assessments were the only things I could come up with last semester to help students actually learn. A few more ideas in here, but more needed. Please share if you’ve seen!

Nick Hagerty @hagertynw.bsky.social · Aug 26

I don't like it but HIGH FREQUENCY, IN-PERSON assessments are the only way college students are going to learn anything this semester

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/o...

Opinion | Students Hate Them. Universities Need Them. The Only Real Solution to the A.I. Cheating Crisis.

www.nytimes.com

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Aug 26

Good reminder of what LLMs are/aren’t: thebullshitmachines.com

Modern-Day Oracles or Bullshit Machines: Introduction

A free online humanities course about how to learn and work and thrive in an AI world.

thebullshitmachines.com

Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · Aug 14

Those of us in STEM must vocally affirm that the humanities are our allies, and no department is expendable. Arguing we can survive by cutting whole disciplines isn’t just inhumane, it’s nonsensical. The humanities tell us why we’re here in the first place, and what to do about it! This isn’t hard!

Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · Aug 14

Oh good. We've reached the "I don't have to be faster than the bear, I only have to be less woke than you" stage of faculty solidarity. archive.is/wGNDr

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Aug 12

Early word we'll have funding to recruit a Post-Doc in the Human Dimensions of Wildlife space - specifically working on hunter behaviors in deer management across several midwestern states. On the ground work, experiments, many academic & agency partners! Spread the word to any potential applicants.

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Aug 7

Ada Smith (Postdoc at Oregon), Laurie Yung (Prof at Montana), Kyle Bosinsky (MT assistant state climatologist), Sarah Church (Prof at Montana State) - from my corner of the world!

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Aug 1

I do this (most) every month, ever since my 6th grade teacher - one of my most favorite teachers of all time - introduced me - including this morning!

Wikipedia @wikipedia.org · Aug 1

Ever blurt out "rabbit rabbit rabbit" on the first day of the month and wonder why you sound like a spell-casting bunny? If so, you are part of a tradition with surprisingly mysterious roots 🐰🐰🐰

Learn more ➡️ w.wiki/AY2e

Article of the Week: Rabbit rabbit rabbit. In some English-speaking countries, it is believed that saying these words on the first day of the month brings good luck. The origins of this superstition are unknown, but it dates back to at least the early 20th century. Image depicts a brown rabbit sitting upright on green grass, alert with ears raised and eyes wide open.

Reposted by Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD

Michael Freeman @afreeparticle.com · Jul 31

🍎🧪🎢🧬 Any excuse to share this masterpiece: Mustached Bats Vs The Doppler Effect

Congratulations Tom!

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Alexander L. Metcalf, PhD @metcalfhdlab.bsky.social · Jul 24

Glad my institution has converted nearly every system to Microsoft - the functionality may be questionable but the security is shotty.

Cynthia Brumfield @metacurity.com · Jul 24

www.axios.com/2025/07/23/m...

More than 400 systems compromised in Microsoft hacking spree, researchers find

Hackers have already compromised more than 400 organizations in ongoing Microsoft hacking spree

That's up from the roughly 60 victims that researchers had identified two days ago.