The term currently most succcessful in drawing attention to global environmental problems and fostering action to combat those problems is 'biodiversity.' The central aim of this dissertation research project is to examine how and why scientists have shaped the concept of 'biodiversity' and promoted it to a broad audience. Through an extensive literature review and numerous interviews, the investigator plans to analyze why scientists value biodiversity, how they have promulgated this value in the public realm, and how they intend their results to influence environmental conservation imperatives, societal values towards nature, and nature itself. Analysis of scientific advocacy in the name of 'biodiversity' provides insight into the complex interactions between scientists' values, society's values, conservation, and the natural world. This modest grant will enable the collection of interview data in various parts of the U.S. and Costa Rica.
