The Social Psychology, Economics & Ethics (SPEE) team explores how people perceive and respond to fire and smoke—especially prescribed burns—and how trust in information sources influences those responses. By integrating social science, economics, ethics, and data science, SPEE helps SMART FIRES ensure that fire management strategies are not only scientifically sound but socially responsible.
What does the SPEE team study?
We investigate how individuals and communities respond to smoke exposure, how they make decisions based on available information, and how trust in that information affects outcomes. Our work includes:
- Behavioral responses to smoke from wildfires and prescribed fires
- Public trust in AI-generated and scientific data
- Ethical considerations in fire management
- Equity and justice in exposure and decision-making
Why is this research important?
Prescribed fire is a critical tool for reducing wildfire risk, but its success depends on public understanding and acceptance. SPEE research helps:
- Identify disparities in smoke exposure and adaptive capacity
- Improve communication tools for diverse audiences
- Ensure ethical use of AI and predictive models
- Support informed decision-making by fire managers and the public
How does SPEE collect data?
We use a mixed-methods approach:
- Quantitative surveys of households in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
- Qualitative interviews with wildfire managers
- Social media sentiment analysis
- GIS mapping of smoke exposure and vulnerability
- Data visualization tools for tribal and stakeholder audiences
Who is on the SPEE team?
Led by Dr. Elizabeth Metcalf (University of Montana), the team also includes:
- Katrina Mullan (UM)
- Kristen Intemann (MSU)
- Cody Sifford (Salish-Kootenai College, SKC)
- A new hire at Little Big Horn College (LBHC)
- 2 postdoctoral researchers
- 3 graduate students
- 2 undergraduate students
How does SPEE collaborate with other SMART FIRES teams?
SPEE works closely with:
- AI/ML Team to model community sentiment and decision-making
- Fire and Smoke Science Team to link behavioral data with emissions and exposure
- Cyberinfrastructure Team to manage and share social data
- Education and Outreach Team to develop public-facing tools and resources
What are some key outcomes so far?
- Developed a household survey with over 200 responses
- Created GIS maps and story maps to visualize smoke risk and environmental justice concerns
- Built a database of prescribed fire managers and conducted interviews
- Designed communication tools tailored to different audiences
- Contributed to the SMART FIRES data lake and cyberinfrastructure planning
How does SPEE address equity and inclusion?
We prioritize:
- Recruitment of Indigenous, minority, and women students
- Partnerships with Tribal Colleges and community organizations
- Development of culturally responsive communication tools
- Annual visits to tribal communities to build trust and engagement
What challenges does SPEE face?
- Integrating social science with technical fire research
- Ensuring relevance to diverse stakeholders
- Managing survey fatigue and data privacy
- Communicating across disciplines and institutions
We address these through regular cross-team meetings, ethical planning, and adaptive research strategies.
How does SPEE contribute to sustainability and long-term impact?
SPEE builds capacity in:
- Ethical AI and decision support
- Community-informed fire management
- Inclusive research practices
- Strategic partnerships with agencies and academic centers
Our goal is to ensure that SMART FIRES research leads to real-world improvements in fire policy, public health, and environmental justice.