Human Behaviour Towards Wildlife, Behavioural Economics, Economics, Microeconomics, Wildlife

I have been a lecturer in microeconomics here at UEA since August 2014.   Since this time, I have been involved in a range of undergraduate modules, including introductory mathematics, applied econometrics & statistics, behavioural economics, introductory, intermediate and advanced microeconomics and environmental economics.  I am currently the module convenor for both first year (Introductory) Microeconomics and for the Postgraduate module on Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.

Whilst my post is one of teaching, I also conduct a variety of research projects here at UEA.  These span my two core interests, namely behavioural and environmental economics.  More specifically, the primary focus of my research is seeking to use behavioural economics to understand how people value their local environment and explore their approaches to conservation and sustainability.  Some of these working papers can be viewed on my ‘Research’ section.  

I completed my Undergraduate degree, Masters degree and PhD here at UEA and I currently represent the Economics Department on the Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) and the ECO School Board through my role as Lead Support Tutor (LST).  

My Postgraduate studies were sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). This research explored the various contributions that environmental assets make towards our subjective well-being and then looks to value such entities so as to give them an appropriate weighting in economic policy decisions or proposals.

Through the early stages of my research here at UEA, I explored the scale and dynamics of wildlife valuation. My focus was to use Discrete Choice Modelling to decipher the value that people hold for garden birds. This study showed that local nature can have a very different and distinct importance in determining the type of engagement and happiness people derive from connecting with nature.

I then incorporated these investigations into a more theoretical economic context. This explored why and to what extent people’s value for the environment can impact on traditional economic predictions. More specifically, I analysed the conditions under which private motivations for environmental assets can potentially overcome the classic free-rider issue.

In my final doctoral paper, I returned to choice modelling, yet this time the focus was be on the moral and philosophical perspectives people hold regarding contentious environmental activities such as culling. This work simultaneously asks how economic gains should be traded off against moral opinion, but also consider how closely our attitude to killing creatures aligns to those we hold towards humans.

Since completing the PhD and working here as a lecturer, the focus of my work has moved into the field of energy economics and ascertaining the role that non-finacial incentives (such as social reputation) can have in changing people's attitudes and patterns of energy consumption. 

Since beginning my Postgraduate Research studies in October 2011, I have presented this research at numerous conferences and academic events, some of which are detailed below:

Online versions of my three thesis chapters as working papers are accessible through the links below:

Chapter 1: A Common Bird in your Garden is worth Two Rare Ones in the Woods: Consumption and Welfare Values of Local Wildlife.’

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lcg7uz5bmci6uey/Chapter%201%20%28Paper%20Version%29%2028th%20July%202014.docx?m=

Chapter 2:‘Please in My Back Garden:  When Neighbours Compete in the Provision of Local Environmental Public Goods.’ 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dyueaxxe4lmb8ok/Please%20in%20My%20Back%20Garden%20-19th%20December%20PAPER.docx?m=

Chapter 3:‘Putting Bambi in the Firing Line:  Applying Moral Philosophy to Environmental and Economic Attitudes on Deer Culling’ 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4nsj0kq5hb9qmfe/Chapter%203%20%2825th%20July%202014%29.docx?m=

I believe that grasping a sound and rigorous understanding of how humans derive well-being from the environment is a key tool in delivering economic policies which are both effective and welfare maximising to society.

Contact Details:

Email:michael.brock@uea.ac.uk

Location: ARTS 3.65