Sophie Lieberman

This project will assess the historical development of the Environmental Leadership & Training Initiative's (ELTI) training landscape in Panama's Azuero Peninsula. In 2021, ELTI began a long-term research initiative that will examine ELTI’s work in the Azuero Peninsula and whether it provides a capacity development model suitable for other restoration efforts in Panama and throughout the tropics.

Sophie will help build the foundation for this initiative by pursuing two research components: (1) assessing the logic and approach of ELTI's programs in the Azuero over time and the motivations and behaviors of farmers involved in these programs, and (2) researching the role that farmers associations play in contributing to tropical forest restoration efforts and sustainable cattle ranching systems.