Advancing Our Field

In addition to supporting our clients, Inform works to support the wider fields and communities we work within. We share our work regularly through publications, presentations, and engagement with professional colleagues via committees and other networks.

PUBLICATIONS

Sharing our work with professional and academic communities is an important part of Inform’s mission. Some of our recent and forthcoming publications are highlighted below. Please contact us for more information about any of these publications.

• Kubarek, J. & Johnson, B. (2022). A model for developing evaluation literacy in informal science educators. Journal of Informal Science and Environmental Learning. Read the article here.

• Kubarek, J., & Johnson, B. (2021). Real-world connections to conservation science through zoos and aquariums. In D. Farland-Smith (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Student, Scientist, and Teacher Partnerships. IGI Global. Preview the chapter here.

• Kubarek, J., Ogden, J. Rutherford, A., Grow, S., and V. Searles. (2023). The AZA social science research agenda 2020: How the social sciences can help people and wildlife thrive together. In J. Fraser, J. Heimlich, & K. Riedinger (Eds.), Zoos and Aquariums in the Public Mind. Springer Nature. Pre-order the book here.

• Johnson, B., Thomas, S., Ardoin, N., Saunders, M., & Dunifon, S. (2021). In review. Recent research on informal science learning at zoos and aquariums: A review of the literature. In J. Fraser, J. Heimlich, & K. Riedinger (Eds.), Zoos and Aquariums in the Public Mind. Springer Nature. Pre-order the book here.

• Wong, M., Kubarek, J., & Johnson, B. (2020). Lessons learned from a relationship-based school partnership model for conservation action. International Zoo Educators Association Journal, 56. Download the issue here.

• Kubarek, J. (2019). Making the unfamiliar familiar: Zoo and aquarium educators leveraging novelty and curiosity. In P. Katz & L. Avraamidou (Eds.), Stability and Change in Science Education: Meeting Basic Learning Needs. Brill Publishing. Preview the book here.

• Aloisio, J., Johnson, B., Lewis, J. D., Munshi-South, J., Clark, J. A., Roberts, S., Wasserman, D., Heimlich, J., & Tingley, K. (2018). Pre-college urban ecology research mentoring: Promoting broader participation in the field of ecology for an urban future. Journal of Urban Ecology, 4(1). Read the article here.

• Kubarek, J. (2017). The need and timeliness of preparing informal science educators. In Preparing Informal Science Educators (pp. 577-593). Springer. Preview the chapter here.

• Kubarek, J. (2015). Building staff capacity to evaluate in museum education. Journal of Museum Education, 40(1), pp.1-5. Preview the article here.

• Ballard, H. L., Lindell, A., & Jadallah, C. C. (Under revision). Citizen science, community science, and environmental education: A systematic review of learning outcomes. Environmental Education Research.

• Lindell, A., Ballard, H. L., Khalil, K., Kubarek, J., & Watanabe, D. (Under revision). Advancing conservation and equity goals: A call for science identity research in zoos & aquariums. Environmental Education Research.

PRESENTATIONS

The Inform team regularly shares expertise and evaluation and research findings at conferences and meetings. Our recent presentations include:

• Johnson, B., Bankey, L., Owens, J., & Bumpous, R. (August 2022). The next phase of conservation work at zoos and aquariums: Monitoring and evaluation. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2022 Conference, Baltimore, MD.

• Lindell, A., Nageotte, N., Seger, L., & Copeland, M. (August 2022). Environmental and science identities: How AZA programs support developing youth identities. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2022 Conference, Baltimore, MD.

• Kubarek, J. (September 2021). From theory to practice: A closer look at co-design in process. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2021 Conference, virtual.

• Kubarek, J. (September 2021). A call to action: The importance of research and evaluation in DEI efforts. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2021 conference, virtual.

• Ogden, J., Kubarek, J., Cranston, K., Grow, S., Searles, V. (September 2020). Building a social science research agenda. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2020 Conference, virtual.

• Johnson, B., Dieterling, L., Kiser, K., Norton, S., & Aloisio, J. (September 2019). Evaluating teen programs at zoos and aquariums: Finding the “secret sauce” to maximize engagement and learning. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2019 Conference, New Orleans, LA.

• Johnson, B., McReynolds, S., Allgeier, K., Seger, L., Parsons, C. (September 2019). Little kids, big impact! Early childhood learning outcomes at zoos and aquariums. Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2019 Conference, New Orleans, LA.

• Johnson, B., Khalil, K., & Heimlich, J. (July 2019). Evaluation for all: Looking beyond traditional uses of program evaluation. Invited keynote presentation at the National Marine Educators Association 2019 Conference, Long Beach, CA.

• Kubarek, J. & McCann, E. (June 2016). Programming for behavior change and connection to nature from definition to design. Conservation Psychology Institute, Antioch University.

• Kubarek, J. (March 2015). Parallels and divergences in assessing science learning across contexts. National Science Education Leadership Association Professional Development Institute, Chicago, IL.

• Kubarek, J. (October 2015). Building capacity for research and evaluation by informal science educators. Featured presenter for the Informal Science Education Symposium, San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, CA.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Contributing to our professional communities keeps us inspired and offers opportunities to advance our own learning. Our professional associations include:

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums Commercial Member

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums Research and Technology Committee

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Education Committee

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group

• International Zoo Educators Association Associate Membership

• National Association for Research in Science Teaching Member

• National Science Teachers Association Member

• New England Museum Association Member

• North American Association for Environmental Education Member

• Visitor Studies Association Member

• Peer reviewer for Environmental Education Research, Zoo Biology, Journal of Museum Education, and Curator

• Lincoln Park Zoo Institutional Review Board Member