Sarah Laud on Exploring Different Research Methods: Choosing The Right Approach

Exploring Different Research Methods: Choosing The Right Approach

In this week’s episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Jimena González Ramírez, an associate professor at Manhattan College, and Sarah Jacobson, a professor at Williams College. González Ramírez and Jacobson discuss some ways that systemic racism can unintentionally permeate research in the field of environmental and natural resource economics. They consider how historically racist policies and practices can affect research data and analysis and, in turn, produce findings which may render outcomes that discriminate. Specifically, the scholars identify several contributing issues: the prioritization of cost-effectiveness; inattention to procedural justice; abstraction from social and historical context; and a focus on problems that are easier, rather than more important, to solve. A recent Common Resources article by González Ramírez, Jacobson, and other coauthors delves into even more of the details that their conversation here doesn’t cover.

References and recommendations:

“Looking at Environmental and Natural Resource Economics through the Lens of Racial Equity” by Amy Ando, Titus Awokuse, Jimena González Ramírez, Sumeet Gulati, Sarah Jacobson, Dale Manning, Samuel Stolper, and Matt Fleck; https://www.resources.org/common-resources/looking-at-environmental-and-natural-resource-economics-through-the-lens-of-racial-equity/

“Achieving environmental justice: A cross-national analysis” by Karen Bell; https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt9qgzvd

“Sensing Air Pollution Exposure in New York City Schools, with Beia Spiller” podcast episode; https://www.resources.org/resources-radio/sensing-air-pollution-exposure-in-new-york-city-schools-with-beia-spiller/
 
Work on waste sanitation infrastructure from Catherine Coleman Flowers; https://www.macfound.org/fellows/class-of-2020/catherine-coleman-flowers

“An Immense World” by Ed Yong; https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/616914/an-immense-world-by-ed-yong/

“Solito: A Memoir” by Javier Zamora; https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705626/solito-by-javier-zamora/

“Can we talk to whales?” by Elizabeth Kolbert; https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/09/11/can-we-talk-to-whales

Systemic Racism in Environmental Economics, with Jimena González Ramírez and Sarah Jacobson

In this last episode of the series, Anne Kirstine speaks to Nicola Pratt about her views on the role of researchers in society. Nicola reflects on the ethical responsibilities of researchers to fight repression and the importance of engaging in political debates about their subject matter. She also reflects on the importance of relations in a time where extractivism has become a widespread research method.

Nicola is Professor of International Politics of the Middle East at the University of Warwick. Her publications have explored women's activism, democratisation, human rights and conflict in a number of Middle Eastern countries.

Episode 8: Nicola Pratt on Ethics and the Responsibility to Counter Repression

In this week’s episode, host Margaret Walls talks with economists Maximilian Auffhammer, Paul J. Ferraro, and John Whitehead. All three guests are recent recipients of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (AERE) Fellows Award. The AERE Fellows Program recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of environmental and resource economics, including research, mentorship, service in the AERE community, and policy advising. Auffhammer, Ferraro, and Whitehead reflect on their careers, discuss winning the award, and offer insights into the current state of environmental and resource economics and the evolution of the field.

References and recommendations:

Association of Environmental and Resource Economists; https://www.aere.org/

Berkeley/Sloan Summer School in Environmental and Energy Economics; https://www.auffhammer.com/summer-school

“Pricing the Priceless: A History of Environmental Economics” by Spencer Banzhaf; https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/pricing-the-priceless/417AAD8A445E8B64BAD6BC201D2F2163

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr.; https://digitalcollections.libraries.ua.edu/digital/collection/p17336coll22/id/2681/

The Long View: Thoughts on the Economics Field from Three Environmental Economists

On this episode we talk about our University module Research , Analysis, and Communications. This is split into 3 parts between each speaker and will be displayed on each of our profiles. 

Branding Unwind

3956 01 Part 03 What is research

3956 01 Part 02 What is research

3956 01 Part 01 What is research

In this podcast, host Dr Anna Volkmer explores the use of Lego Serious Play as a research tool / methodology in dementia and neurodegenerative disease studies. Traditionally used in therapy and organisational development, Lego Serious Play is now finding its way into the research world—helping researchers, participants, and stakeholders express complex ideas, foster collaboration, and build deeper insights (literally and metaphorically).

Anna is joined by a panel of expert guests:

Dr Warren Donnellan, University of Liverpool – a trained facilitator of Lego Serious Play who applies it to resilience and carer research.

Dr Alys Griffiths, University of Sheffield – who has integrated the method into dementia studies and her work in Motor Neuron Disease.

Dr Joe Langley, Sheffield Hallam University – known for combining design thinking and participatory research methods, including Lego Serious Play, in health and care settings.

Together, they explore the origins, applications, and benefits of this playful method, share case studies, and reflect on how building with Lego can break down communication barriers and empower participants—particularly those with dementia.
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Topics covered:

🔷What is Lego Serious Play and how does it work in research?
🔷Insights into resilience and the carer experience
🔷Using play to unlock communication in dementia research
🔷How design thinking intersects with health research
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Essential links / resources mentioned in the show:
🔷An overview of Lego Serious Play: https://www.lego.com/en-us/seriousplay
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Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
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This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support.
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Building Insights Brick by Brick: Lego Serious Play

How do we know what we know in psychology? In this lesson, RJ Starr explores the tools psychologists use to study behavior and thought—covering research methods, experiments, observations, and why critical thinking matters more than ever. It’s not just about what people do, but how we ask the right questions to understand why. Part of the free Introduction to Psychology course at profrjstarr.com

Lesson 3 The Science of Behavior and the Mind

Sarah is a 2019 graduate of the Morris-Beard School. She currently lives in New Jersey and is passionate about horseback riding. Since graduating from high school, Sarah is now focused on becoming a journalist and enjoys working in the various facets of the journalism field. Sarah Laud is also an accomplished competitive horseback rider with over a decade of experience. As a varsity competitor Sarah has shown commitment, as well as discipline, working closely with her equine companions in order to stay competitive and be successful in the field. Visit her website to learn more!

Professor RJ Starr is an academic psychologist, educator, and author exploring the inner life through the lens of emotional intelligence, regulation, and self-awareness.
This SoundCloud page features original short-form audio recordings—thoughtful reflections designed to help listeners navigate their emotions, relationships, and personal growth with clarity and maturity.

To explore more of my work, visit https://profrjstarr.com

Welcome to the LSE Middle East Centre's podcast feed.

The MEC builds on LSE's long engagement with the Middle East and North Africa and provides a central hub for the wide range of research on the region carried out at LSE.

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A biweekly podcast for early career researchers, bringing together fantastic guests to discuss their research, careers + much more. 

Dedicated to sharing the science, encouraging collaborations, attracting more people to the field, and supporting those already here to succeed.

Brought to you by https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk at University College London, in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia - everything you need, all in one place. supporting early career researchers across the world

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Resources Radio is a weekly podcast by Resources for the Future. Each week we talk to leading experts about climate change, electricity, ecosystems, and more, making the latest research accessible to everyone.

New tracks tagged #Research Methods