AZA Social Science Research Agenda Tracking Tool

Thank you for your interest and help in tracking current, past, and planned projects related to the AZA Social Science Research Agenda (SSRA). 

For the purposes of this tracking tool, we would like to capture social science research and evaluation projects related to the SSRA that have been recently completed (last 2 years), are currently underway, or are in the planning phase and are taking place with and for the AZA community. Projects can be of any size or scope.

We are tracking social science research and evaluation projects that align specifically with the SSRA. The SSRA priorities/research questions are outlined below:

SSRA Q1: How can zoos and aquariums help build a more equitable society through critical reflection on their internal operations, culture, and communications? How can zoo and aquarium diversity, equity, access and inclusion (DEAI) efforts support this?

Example: Modeling Zoos and Aquariums as Inclusive Communities of Science (MoZAICS) Project: MoZAICS focuses on developing an evidence-based framework of inclusive practices for zoos and aquariums to support science learning for individuals with autism across the full aquarium and zoo experience. 

SSRA Q2: What is the role of zoos and aquariums in communities, including in the context of striving for environmental and social justice?

Example: WCS Career Lattice: The WCS Career Lattice is an integrated careers pathway program through which youth from low-income communities have expanded entry points to opportunities at our parks and equal access to a suite of professional services and supports. Evaluation of this program includes not only the tracking of WCS youth pathways but also what knowledge and skills they’re developing during their time at WCS and associated programming for youth volunteers, interns, and employees.

SSRA Q3: What is the role of zoos and aquariums in contributing to social change toward conservation?

Example: Houston Zoo’s Zoo Crew program helps teens ages 13-17 learn more about wildlife and conservation through an innovative summer and year-round program. Despite its decades-long history, no formal evaluation of the Zoo Crew program had ever taken place. A mixed-methods approach was selected for this evaluation. Traditional evaluation methods (e.g., interviews and surveys) were combined with innovative approaches (e.g., photovoice and embedded assessments) to create a rich and varied dataset for analysis.

SSRA Q4: What is the role of zoos and aquariums in contributing to the development of a person’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being?

Example: Human Health Benefits of Zoo Visitation: Noting the many studies showing positive human health outcomes of spending time in nature, the Saint Louis Zoo conducted two studies measuring the human health benefits of zoo visitation (as a proxy for nature) in regards to stress reduction. Physiological measures included changes in heart rate pre-post touching stingrays in the first study (2016), and changes in salivary cortisol and blood pressure pre-post an immersive exhibit experience in the second study (2020). The same validated psychological mood instrument was utilized in both studies. 

SSRA Q5: How can zoos/aquariums maximize their systemic impact on conservation?

Example: SAFE PACT pilot: Two SAFE programs, Asian hornbills and orangutans, represented by 5 member institutions were partnered with a social scientist to develop a project that addresses a common driver of biodiversity loss. Based on research conducted for this effort, sustainably-sourced wood tool procurement at each institution was selected as the target behavior. By reducing demand for products linked to biodiversity loss for the two SAFE species, this behavior simultaneously increases organizational conservation culture and supports institutional missions through direct conservation action.