Media
Biography
Thomas Dietz is a professor of Sociology and Environmental Science and Policy (ESPP). He holds a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of California, Davis, and a bachelor of general studies from Kent State University. At...
Areas of Expertise (4)
Ecology
Environmental Policy
Human Driving Forces of Environmental Change
Climate Change
Accomplishments (3)
Member, U.S. National Academies Committee to Advise the U.S. Global Change Research Program (professional)
2011-2014
Principal Author, Chapter on Drivers, United Nations Environment Programme Global Environmental Outlook (professional)
2011-2012
Member, External Advisory Board, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University (professional)
2010 - Present
Education (2)
University of California: Ph.D., Ecology 1979
Kent State University: B.A., General Studies 1972
Journal Articles (3)
Turking Statistics: Student-generated Surveys Increase Student Engagement and Performance
Teaching SociologyCameron T Whitley, Thomas Dietz
2018 Thirty years ago, Hubert M. Blalock Jr. published an article in Teaching Sociology about the importance of teaching statistics. We honor Blalock's legacy by assessing how using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in statistics classes can enhance student learning and increase statistical literacy among social science gradaute students. In addition, we assess whether using MTurk has an impact on student ability to make professional progress...
Changes in Human Well-being and Rural Livelihoods Under Natural Disasters
Ecological EconomicsHongbo Yang, Thomas Dietz, Wu Yang, Jindong Zhang, Jianguo Liu
2018 Rural areas around the world are increasingly exposed to natural disasters. To guide management intervention for sustainable development after natural disasters, scientists and policymakers need a better understanding of the linkages between livelihood changes after natural disasters and recovery outcomes. Despite the growing body of disaster research, systematic evaluation of the relationship between post-disaster changes in rural livelihoods and recovery outcomes is rare, largely due to the lack of relevant data...
What Drives Energy Consumers?: Engaging People in a Sustainable Energy Transition
IEEE Power and Energy MagazineLinda Steg, Rachel Shwom, Thomas Dietz
2018 Providing clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy for people everywhere will require converting to an energy system in which the use of fossil fuels is minimal. A sustainable energy transition means substantial changes in technology and the engagement of the engineering community. But it will also mean changes in behavior and policies and, thus, will require the engagement of the social science community...