Dr Roger Auster
Lecturer in Environmental Social Science
r.e.auster@exeter.ac.uk
CREWW Building
Overview
Roger is an interdisciplinary Environmental Social Scientist based in the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste. His research specialisms are in the human dimensions of species reintroduction, nature-based solutions, environmental resilience and landscape change.
Roger has extensive research experience in the human dimensions of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) reintroduction in England, including studies of potential opportunities, conflicts, and societal views of beaver reintroduction and management. Roger was primary contributor of social science for the nationally recognised River Otter Beaver Trial as a member of the Science & Evidence Forum, which collaboratively produced the final Science & Evidence Report. He also completed a research project for Natural England capturing lessons from adaptive Beaver Management Groups in Devon. Drawing on this experience, Roger defined the concept of Renewed Coexistence as "...coexistence that is specifically associated with a reintroduced species, thereby one which was present in the landscape historically, but which will likely be a ‘new’ presence for the humans living in the locality post-release".
Roger also led an EU Interreg funded work package to develop a model for the engagement of communities and stakeholders in coastal adaptation and landscape change projects, learning from the Lower Otter Restoration Project (Devon, UK) and Saâne Territorial Project (Normandy, France). The work package was part of the wider EU Interreg Cross-Channel 'Promoting Adaptation to Changing Coasts' initiative, which as a whole was a €27million project to develop a transferable model for coastal adaptation and to influence policy makers at national and EU level.
He enjoys outdoor swimming.
Qualifications
PhD: Renewed Coexistence: Human dimensions of reintroducing Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) into England
MSc Conservation Science & Policy
BSc (Hons) Zoology
Links
Research group links
Research
Research interests
Roger is an interdisciplinary Environmental Social Scientist based in the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste. His research specialisms are in the human dimensions of species reintroduction, environmental resilience and landscape change.
Research projects
Renewed Coexistence: Coexistence with reintroduced species
1. Human dimensions of beaver (Castor fiber) reintroduction in England (2017 - Present):
- Perspectives of beavers in Natural Flood Management, among downstream communities;
- Conflicts between beavers and agriculture or land/property;
- Perspectives of the angling community in the River Otter Beaver Trial;
- Beaver tourism;
- Experiences of River Otter Beaver Trial Steering Group stakeholders - with definition of Renewed Coexistence;
- Adaptive processes of Beaver Management Groups (with report for Natural England);
- Nationwide survey of public attitudes (Great Britain, 2019);
- Human-beaver interactions conribution to literature review on beaver impacts;
- Lead contributor of social science for River Otter Beaver Trial Science & Evidence Report.
3. Nationwide survey of public attitudes to beavers (Castor fiber) living wild in Wales (2023);
4. Perspective - Should individual animals be given names in reintroduction projects? (2023)
5. Social feasibility study: Wildcat (Felis sylvestris) reintroduction in south-west England. (2023 - Ongoing)
Model for Engagement in Coastal Adaptation and Landscape Change: Work package for 'Promoting Adaptation to Changing Coasts' (2021-2023)
Learning from the Lower Otter Restoration Project (Devon, UK) and Saâne Territorial Project (Normandy, France). In partnership with Lisode Consultancy for EU Interreg 'Promoting Adaptation to Changing Coasts'.
A Model for Engagement was developed through:
- Documentary evaluation of historical engagement by both projects;
- Interviews with project partners;
- Social learning workshops with local residents.
Other Contributions
- Water vole (Arvicola amphibious) expansion into a new beaver wetland, England (co-author) (2023);
- Newly recorded tail-dipping behaviour at an open water source in white-faced capuchin, Costa Rica (Cebus imitator) (joint lead authorship) (2023);
- Negotiating structural barriers to environmental collaborations in doctoral programmes (co-author) (2024).
Research networks
- River Otter Beaver Trial Science & Evidence Forum: Member and lead contributor of social science
- South West Partnership for Environmental and Economic Prosperity (SWEEP): Contributing studentship
Publications
Journal articles
Reports
Office Hours:
Monday, 3-4pm - In person
Friday, 2-3pm - Online
Please email in advance to request an appointment.