Suzanne Banks
Majored in Masters In Biology (Strategic Communications & Stakeholder Engagement For Conservation)
Miami University , Class of 2022
From East Northport, NY
Miami University , Class of 2022
From East Northport, NY
Graduate of Project Dragonfly's Global Field Program through Miami University. 3.98 G.P.A. My research focuses on "selling" conservation to hesitant, non-traditional, and congressional stakeholders.
Note that PDF attachments are multi-paged and may be best viewed on a desktop computer. For more about me and my master's journey, please visit my portfolio here: https://dragonflyworkshops.miamioh.edu/eportfolios/view_shared?external_id=6wkpXvlpLN
Suzanne Banks Awarded Degree from Miami University
Suzanne Banks of East Northport, NY was among students from Miami University who received degrees during the fall commencement Dec 9, 2022 Banks graduated with a Master of Arts degree, majoring in...
February, 20 2023 - Verified by Miami University
Conservation leader Suzanne Banks finishes master's studies
East Northport, New York, resident Suzanne Banks has been applying the tools of science, education and conservation to become a leader in the conservation community. In December 2022, Banks conclud...
December, 07 2022 - Verified by Miami University
Suzanne Banks studied conservation in the Galapagos Islands
East Northport, N.Y., resident Suzanne Banks, a current student in the Global Field Program from Miami University's Project Dragonfly, traveled in summer 2021 to the Galapagos Islands to study the ...
October, 18 2021 - Verified by Miami University
Suzanne Banks from Miami University's Project Dragonfly engages with conservation leaders to make a difference
Long Island, N.Y., resident Suzanne Banks, a Global Field Program (GFP) student from Miami University's Project Dragonfly, is participating in a new course with conservationists from around the wor...
September, 24 2020 - Verified by Miami University
Suzanne Banks was recognized for studying abroad
I had the the opportunity to study abroad in Ecuador (Galapagos Islands - Santa Cruz & Isabela Islands). There we studied evolutionary concepts, tortoise and bird biology, and other topics. We explored methodologies to tackle critical issues such as human-wildlife conflicts, invasive species, and microplastic pollution.
Summer 2021 -
Added by Suzanne
Suzanne Banks was recognized for graduating
Final GPA: 3.98
Added by Suzanne
Suzanne Banks was recognized for graduating
Hofstra University: BA Sociology; Psychology minor; 3.86 GPA; Summa Cum Laude
Added by Suzanne
Suzanne Banks was recognized for graduating
Stony Brook University: MA Public Policy; 3.79 GPA
Added by Suzanne
Bringing in the Reinforcements: An Argument to Stop Preaching to Cat Owners from Behind Birding Binoculars, and to Recruit Trusted Messengers for a Collaborative Campaign
Traditionally, wildlife conservationists have tried to
motivate cat owners directly to keep their pet cats indoors with little,
to no success. Cat owners have a lack of trust in these sources,
suspecting conflicted interests, and that the issues presented are
exaggerations. Collaborating with a variety of stakeholders who are
also trusted messengers (i.e. veterinarians, cat shelters, animal
welfare and anti-cruelty groups), may prove to be more effective.
Employing celebrities and social media influencers, while not likely
stakeholders, may also be helpful in regards to marketing campaign
messaging.
Classwork
Legislative Analyses for Informing Environmental Lobbying
This study looks at legislative behavior and how understanding the dynamics may inform successful lobbying efforts for the environmental sector. Bills from the 117th Congress are reviewed, organized, analyzed, and reported in simple terms that are digestible to conservationists and environmentalists who may lack political savviness. Bill content and bipartisanship are compared in respect to party affiliation. Democrats led and supported a majority of the bills. Topics of interest by both parties varied to some extent. Further study is needed to generalize findings. Implications of such research (if heeded) could be extremely valuable for conservation efforts.
Research Projects
How NGOs "Sell" Conservation to Politically-Polarized Audiences - A Primer
This presentation was made in 2021 to the Federal Affairs team of an well-known NGO. Its purpose was to fulfill my Community Leadership Challenge (CLC) requirement and obtain professional feedback to inform future research.
Presentations
Selling Conservation to Politically Polarized Audiences: What’s Being Done, & How to Maximize Engagement
The way concepts are communicated are just as important as what’s being said.
When the goal is inspiring pro-environmental behaviors and attitudes, it is vital to
consider your audience and frame messaging in ways that will be best-received.
To do so requires an analysis of their priorities, values, and points of view. This
project explores how messaging from conservation organizations in politically
conservative (red) states compare to that of liberal (blue) states. There was a
marked difference observed in both subject matter and language used in the two
groups. Literary research of best practices for conservation messaging reveals
that the current messaging strategies of these conservation organizations have
some merit but can be improved. Sample mock-up campaign materials were
created to model research findings.
Research Projects
Bees for Trees & Communities: The Future Rides on the Wings of Bees
A summary presentation of a conservation campaign collaboratively crafted to benefit Project Dragonfly's India EE partner organization, Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF).
Presentations
2