Megan Ruxton

photo of Megan Ruxton

Sustainability Leadership Fellowship Cohort: 2014-2015

Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Political Science

Research Summary: When trust between the public and government is damaged, the ability to address pressing, complex issues becomes difficult – even contentious. Megan’s research addresses this problem in the context of a cyclical insect outbreak in the forests of eastern Canada which threatens ecological processes and can cause economic losses in the billions of dollars. Past efforts led jointly by government and the forest industry have led to the perception that the economic needs of industry have been placed ahead of the environmental and social needs of the public. As the newest program places scientists at the forefront of efforts to solve the outbreak problem, she will assess whether scientists are able to regain the trust that was lost and thus gain public legitimacy and approval.