This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
The success of conservation projects at the species or ecosystem level is determined by the ability of those in charge to manage the teams and the individuals involved in delivering outputs. The failure of conservation projects worldwide to deliver pre-determined successes is in part due to the absence of sufficient people with these skill sets. We need to match the desire for scientific understanding about biodiversity with an appreciation of the social skills required to manage and lead conservation programmes if we are to make more efficient and effective use of the limited resources at our disposal. In this module students will begin by reflecting on the qualities required within a leader and how a leader's management style can impact on others within an organisation. Students will consider the extent to which we can apply management theory to the practice of endangered species and habitat recovery and the people involved in making it happen. They will go on to consider different approaches to managing conflict within teams and balancing organisational and individual expectations and motivations. By drawing on examples from both the business world and conservation community students will consider different models for developing and managing teams and consider how to optimise performance within an organisation.
Total contact hours: 30
Private study hours: 120
Total study hours: 150
MSc Conservation and cognate pathways
MCQ via Moodle (20%)
Essay - 2000 words (80%) *This element is pass compulsory and must be passed to achieve the learning outcomes of the module
Reassessment method: Like for like
Clark, T.W., Reading, R.P., Clarke, A.L. (1994) Endangered Species Recovery Finding the Lessons, Improving the Process. Island Press, USA.
Deitz J.M., R. Aviram, S. Bickford et al. (2004) Defining leadership in conservation, Conservation Biology, 18(1), 274-278
Holling C.S. and G.K. Meffe (1996), Command and Control and the Pathology of Natural Resource Management, Conservation Biology, vol 10, 2: p328-337
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. understand the function of a manager and leader within conservation programmes and the personal attributes required for the role;
2. understand the theory and practice of team development and managing individual expectations through time;
3. understand how to manage performance within people and organisations working to achieve conservation outcomes;
4. understand how to apply models to organisational effectiveness.
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