Lauren Eckert

Lauren is a Conservation Scientist, storyteller, artist, adventure enthusiast, and PhD candidate currently based in British Columbia, Canada at the University of Victoria (on Lekwungen-speaking peoples’ territory). Lauren’s early research experiences around the globe exposed her to the complexities of interrelated social and ecological systems and motivated her to delve deeper into conservation science that recognizes humans’ important role in global ecosystems, engages communities directly in conservation, and supports human well-being and rights alongside ecosystem protection. 

Throughout her PhD, Lauren has studied marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the intersections of Indigenous and Western sciences, relationships between humans and wildlife (with a focus on bears), and sought to better understand and transform conflict that stymies conservation efforts. 

Lauren is also an avid storyteller and endlessly excitable naturalist. She believes in a world of multi-cultural, multi-species flourishing, and hopes to support the ushering in of that world through sharing her knowledge of and love for the natural world. Lauren is a Canada Vanier Scholar, Raincoast Conservation Fellow, National Geographic Explorer, dog mom, avid hiker, caver, scuba diver, and peanut butter aficionada.

Visit my personal website at https://laureneckertconservation.com/