Her current research focuses on rural community decision making process with respect to natural resource management issues that directly impact stakeholder livelihoods. She is also interested in the incorporation of traditional ecological and cultural knowledge into natural resource policy making processes and the effect of rural social movements on these processes. She plans to carry out her doctoral research in Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Delanie's M.Sc. research dealt with exploring the human dimensions of watershed management in eastern Costa Rica and focused on understanding local residents' perspectives regarding their natural resource management practices, concerns, conflicts and potential alternatives.
In addition to her research with the Skunkworks Lab, Delanie works for the EARTH University Foundation as Special Projects Coordinator. Prior to beginning graduate school, Delanie was the Assistant to the President of the Agricultural University of the Humid Tropical Region in Costa Rica, and before that she held the same position at the Piedmont Environmental Council. Delanie's professional and research interests have been strongly influenced by volunteer work she carried out in Amazonian Ecuador with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and two local organizations (Omaere and Centro Fatima) dedicated to natural resource management, environmental education based on traditional indigenous knowledge, and indigenous rights.
Upon completion of her degree, Delanie plans to return to Central America where she would like to work with communities, non-profits, universities, national governments and international agencies on community-based natural resource management initiatives and as a facilitator in resource management decision making processes.