Applied Research
PRTS Applied Research
Field-based research facilitated through the PRTS lab is designed to provide resources to meet the needs of individuals, communities, and agencies on local, state, national, and international levels. Affiliated faculty and students work with outdoor programmers, community leaders, business owners, and park managers to design, implement, and disseminate the results of research projects. Results from technical reports and peer-reviewed publications help decision-makers with the data they need to make real and lasting change for individuals, communities, and the environment. Expertise in the following areas allows research efforts to be tailored to specific needs of partnering agencies and organizations:
Youth Development
Camps, Afterschool Programs, Medical Specialty Programs and Out-of-School Time Experiences
Contact: Dr. Eddie Hill
Outdoor Recreation and Education
Health Benefits, Motivations, Adaptive Recreation, Leave No Trace, Judgement and Decision-making
Contact: Dr. Eddie Hill and Dr. Chris Zajchowski
Park and Protected Area Management
Visitor Use Management, Human Dimensions of Air Quality, Recreational Access, Social-ecological Systems
Contact: Dr. Chris Zajchowski
Coastal Tourism
Surf Culture and Tourism, Resilience to Flooding and Sea Level Rise in the Tourism Industry
Contact: Dr. Lindsay Usher
Current and Previous Research Partners
Norfolk Recreation, Parks, & Open Space, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. National Park Service, Virginia State Parks, Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Children's Hospital of the Kings' Daughters, The Lions Club, USA Triathlon, The Stanton Foundation, Leave No Trace Foundation for Outdoor Ethics, The Access Fund, Alta Ski Area, American Camp Association, Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency
