The
Skunkworks lab for
Risk and Decision Research at Michigan State University
is a small research unit staffed primarily by graduate
students. Work in the lab is – for the most part
– concentrated on environmental issues with a
particular focus on policy and decision making under
conditions of risk and uncertainty. The overarching
goals of the research conducted in the lab are twofold.
On the one hand, we aim to forge a better understanding
of how people – including various stakeholders,
technical experts, and policy makers –
instinctively make decisions about a wide variety of
environmental and related risks. On the other, we are
interested in developing and testing approaches through
which we can improve people’s decision making
capabilities. By its very nature, research conducted in
support of these goals requires the development of tight
links between both theory and practical application.
In the spirit of other Skunkworks laboratories, we are
particularly interested in pursuing research projects that
foster innovation by pushing the boundaries of our
understanding. If an unsubstantiated claim is made, we want
to test it. If an accepted norm is doubted, we want to
investigate it. And in doing so, we strive to make wise use
of limited resources; in this small, high energy lab,
students often work in teams and funding for research is
typically stretched to its limits.
The Skunkworks Lab is located within the
Department of Community, Agriculture,
Resource and Recreation Studies (CARRS) at the
Michigan State University. The lab
is also closely affiliated with Michican State's
Environmental Science and Policy
Program (ESPP).
