Dr. Tom Beckley

Biography

Tom Beckley works in the field of natural resource sociology in Canada since 1993. He completed his undergraduate studies in sociology/anthropology and environmental studies, where he developed an interest in the intersection of culture and social processes with resource management. Beckley received a Master’s degree in Rural Sociology and his PhD in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. Since 2000, he has been teaching in the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Fredericton. His teaching focuses on the human dimensions of natural resource management, encompassing macro social structures, systems of values, attitudes, beliefs, and behavior. He emphasizes the role of ethics and values in combining science with management processes, while also imparting practical skills in writing, oral communication, critical thinking, and ethical reflection. Before joining UNB, he was a research sociologist with the Canadian Forest Service, working in Alberta and New Brunswick. His research addresses social dynamics such as community sustainability, social indicators, sense of place, community forestry, public engagement, forest management, and energy climate change. Beckley also served as co-editor for the journal Society & Natural Resources from 2009 to 2011. In his personal life, he strives to embody environmental values by managing his own 100-acre woodlot, making maple syrup, foraging, and growing his own food.

Research Interests

Courses