Publications and
Presentations
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.
Recent Publications
These are a few of our recent publications. We strive to actively contribute to our field through publications on a regular basis. Contact us if you have a specific publication interest.
Conservation Culture in Zoos and Aquariums (2025)
Results from a large-scale, ongoing study examining what contributes to the conservation culture of zoos and aquariums.
Long-term Impacts of a Zoo Teen Apprenticeship Program (2025)
A retrospective study of hundreds of teens engaged in an intensive apprenticeship experience at an urban zoo.
Developing STEM Identities for Females and Hispanic Undergraduate Students in a Sustainability Program (2024)
Results from a research study focused on undergraduate students engaged in a summer sustainability internship program and their subsequent development of STEM identity.
Cultivating Evaluation Literacy in Informal Science Educators (2019)
A reflection of case studies looking at successes and challenges in building evaluation capacity for informal science educators in different settings.
Recent Presentations
These represent some of our most recent presentations. We regularly present in different venues as we strive to support the fields we work in.
Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Tampa, Florida (2025)
How Did We Get Here? Research and events that shaped conservation education’s “positive turn”.
Brian presented at the annual AZA conference, sharing a retrospective about how the approach to teaching about difficult issues in environmental education has evolved over the years and what the implications are for the field moving forward.
American Alliance of Museums , Los Angeles, California (2025)
The Evolution of Evaluation Systems at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Joy presented with the Vice President of Education from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance about the implementation of an evaluation capacity building effort with the education teams, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned for other museums to consider.
Visitor Studies Association, Virtual (2025)
Community-Informed Decision-Making
DeDee co-presented a poster session with Wonder Works Executive Director Rachel Weber to explore the process and lessons learned from a study carried out at the children’s museum. It identified the local community’s needs, interests, and barriers to engagement, and was translated into actionable recommendations, which helped them shape future decisions about space, programming, admissions, and membership.
North American Association for Environmental Education, Virtual (2023)
Cultivating Environmental Identities and Sensibilities Through Camp
Joy co-presented with staff from the Houston Zoo about an evaluation of the Camp Zoofari summer camp program which focused on understanding how the experience cultivated environmental identities for campers past and present.