Christine Hale, M.S.

Chris Hale is the Program Manager for the Community Resilience Group. With a diverse background in coral reef conservation, Ridge-to-Reef ecosystems, fisheries, social sciences, science communication, and community engagement, her research is centered in the Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) framework. This work often involves distilling human perceptions and values to identify the diverse social, cultural, and behavioral linkages in changing ecosystems for improved decision-making. Her research approaches include mixed methods, logic and concept modeling, data visualization, ecosystem service assessments, monetary and non-monetary valuation, vulnerability and risk assessments, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and workshops, as well as project and program evaluation. She utilizes science communication skills to engage a vast network of communities, such as language translation, social media messaging, newsletter and blog development and distribution, and presentations to diverse audiences. Her research is solution-oriented, and as an expert in co-production and evaluation, she designs and applies collaborative processes to achieve conservation, restoration, and resilience objectives.

Chris is also Co-Director of the Regional Resilience Partnership, a resilience capacity-building program for the Coastal Bend region of Texas. She mentors graduate students and is a member of the leadership team for the Coastal Bend Chapter of the Texas Children in Nature Network. She enjoys helping people connect with and learn about the natural world for improved wellbeing.