Module manager: Dr Alastair Ward
Email: a.i.ward@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module covers a range of natural science and social science topics that interplay for the management of conflicts between humans and wildlife. The three fundamental themes addressed by the module are: collection of biological information and its use in decision-making, the roles of people in human-wildlife conflicts, and informing and influencing decision-making. Topics covered are methods of wildlife management, field and computer-based methods of data collection and analysis, ecosystem services and valuation, estimate uncertainty and adaptive management, political ecology, stakeholder identification and engagement, conservation psychology and negotiation, management planning. Students choose to progress through the module by following one of three UK-based human-wildlife conflicts, with consideration given to both sides and the middle-ground of each debate. These are supported by case studies from around the world.
The aim of this module is for students to be able to evaluate the multi-disciplinary scope of human-wildlife conflicts and to develop credible, interdisciplinary plans to progress towards the resolution of a conflict.
This will include demonstration of skills in information synthesis and summary, promoting inclusivity in decision-making and achieving favourable outcomes. It thus raises the employability of students for a career in wildlife-related industries (a key sector for our students across our portfolio). The module promotes development of skills required by employers within this sector, including team working (group presentations) and self-driven problem solving by providing students with space to autonomously investigate a key subject in detail.
Learning activities include in-person lectures with University staff and online videos of guest speakers and mini-documentaries from the wildlife sector to convey key ideas and concepts. In-person workshops will enable students to develop and practice methods in information collection, handling and analysis in a range of complementary disciplines (natural and social sciences). In-class interactive debates, facilitated by Vevox, will encourage critical thinking and evaluation. Three full-day fieldtrips to local wildlife sites, hosted by local stakeholders and directly linked to the three case studies will provide direct experience of a range of human-wildlife conflicts.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1- Demonstrate understanding of evaluation techniques, circumstances under which each technique is appropriate, and the strengths and weaknesses of key techniques.
2- Explain a range of options available for the resolution of human-wildlife conflicts based on an understanding of ecological principles.
3- Appraise, summarise and communicate complex scientific information clearly and succinctly to facilitate decision-making by non-specialists.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4- Complete time-sensitive set tasks effectively as a member of a team and independently in order to achieve specified outcomes.
5- Search for, evaluate and use appropriate information sources; to help strengthen the quality of academic work.
6- Communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to articulate an argument, supported by relevant evidence and adhering to academic conventions.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 3 | 6 | 18 |
| Lecture | 14 | 1 | 14 |
| Practical | 10 | 3.1 | 31 |
| Seminar | 2 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Independent online learning hours | 33 | ||
| Private study hours | 103 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 64 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Written feedback on the Group Presentation will feed forward into the Executive Summary. Formative feedback will also be available verbally during an interactive workshop on management planning. Written formative feedback will be provided on a single draft of up to two of the three sections of the management plan, which will be summarised for the Executive Summary.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group presentation | 30 |
| Coursework | Executive summary | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resit for the Group presentation will be an individual presentation. Resit for the Executive Summary will be and executive summary of one of the other two case studies.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 11/02/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team