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Steve L. McMullin
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Academic Interests:
Leadership and administration in natural resource agencies; public involvement in resource decision making; human dimensions of fisheries and wildlife.
Courses Taught:
Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife; Administration and Policy in Natural Resource Organizations; Fisheries Techniques; Natural Resources Education
Professional Achievements:
President, Virginia Tech Chapter American Fisheries Society; Chair American Fisheries Society Continuing Education Committee; President, Virginia Chapter American Fisheries Society; chosen as outstanding faculty member by the students of the College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources.
Recent Research Projects:
Dr. McMullin's academic program is designed to improve the effectiveness of natural resource management agencies and the professionals who work for them. His courses at Virginia Tech focus on improving students' understanding of the human dimension of natural resources management, including development of leadership, public involvement and conflict resolution skills. He also is active in providing continuing education for natural resource professionals, focusing on public resolution. Products of his research include tools and processes for assessing management effectiveness that have been used by nearly one-half of the nation's state fish and wildlife agencies. He has been instrumental in helping the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries improve its public involvement processes.
Agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994-96)
Employees in two groups of nine state fish and wildlife agencies completed a questionnaire specifically developed to assess management effectiveness of state agencies. Statistical analyses determined diagnostic characteristics that effectively discriminated between agencies widely recognized for management effectiveness versus those not so recognized. The questionnaire was revised to improve its utility as a rapid appraisal diagnostic instrument.
Comparison of Professional and Public Opinions of How to Allocate New Funding for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF 1998-2000).
Beginning in July 2000, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) will receive approximately $12 million per year in new funding derived from state sales taxes on hunting, fishing and other outdoor equipment. This funding boost increases the agency budget by over 30% and empowers all citizens of Virginia as paying customers of VDGIF. This project is designed to assess opinions and priorities of internal and external stakeholders through surveys of agency employees, hunters, anglers, boaters, wildlife watchers, landowners, and the general public of Virginia. The final product will be a set of strategic recommendations for future direction the reinvented agency should take.
Motivations and Characteristics of volunteers belonging to nongovernmental natural resource organizations (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Appalachian Trail Conference, 1995-97)
Surveys of the general membership and of active volunteers in two nongovernmental organizations will be used to determine the factors most important in motivating people to be active in those organizations. The research will also attempt to identify factors that contribute most to "burnout" of volunteers.
Development of a Comprehensive Conservation and Land Use Management Plan for the laguna de Babicora area of Mexico (1997-2001) (with Dr. James Parkhurst)
In cooperation with colleagues at the University of Chihuahua, an examination has begun of the impacts of 13 bordering agrarian-based communities on the Laguna de Babicora, a 200,000-ha watershed and wetland complex in west-central Chihuahua, Mexico, that provides primary wintering grounds for sandhill cranes, white-fronted geese, and Mexican ducks. Management planning that incorporates improvements in agricultural practices, water use, and environmental education will be developed.
Selected Recent Publications:
Martinez, T. A. and S. L. McMullin. (In review). Time and efficacy: their effect on decisions regarding volunteer participation. Environment and Behavior.
McMullin, S. L. 1997. Developing tomorrows fish and wildlife agency leaders. Fisheries 22(2):24-25.
McMullin, S. L. 1996. Natural resource management and leadership in public arena decision making: a prescriptive framework. Pages 54-63 in: L. E. Miranda and D. R. DeVries (ed.) Multidimensional approaches to reservoir fisheries management. American Fisheries Society Symposium 16. Bethesda, MD.
McMullin, S.L. 1993. Characteristics and strategies of effective state fish and wildlife agencies. Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 58:206-210.
McMullin, S.L. and L.A. Nielsen. 1991. Public involvement in natural resource management. Pages 87-100 in: W. R. Mangun (ed.) Public policy issues in wildlife management. Greenwood Press. Westport, CT.
McMullin, S.L. and L.A. Nielsen. 1991. Resolution of natural resource allocation conflicts through effective public involvement. Policy Studies Journal 19:553-559.
Last updated November 20, 2003