Edgar Espinoza-Cisneros

I am currently an associate professor at the School of Geography, University of Costa Rica. I teach courses focusing on human-environment interactions broadly. My general interest lies in the study of socio-ecological systems management in rural contexts from a geographical perspective. Specifically, my research explores environmental decision-making processes at the individual, household, and community levels, and how these processes are conditioned by social structures at broader scales. I am interested in understanding not only how these decisions are formulated and what influences them, but also how those decisions, in turn, determine spatial configurations, environmental management regimes, landscape changes, and the provision of ecosystem services key to human well-being.

In the analysis of these decision-making processes, I have sought to better articulate agency and structure by using cognitive constructs—such as environmental values, attitudes, and perceptions—and associating them with political-economic influences at broader scales. In my research, I have predominantly used mixed methods, blending the use of surveys, statistical modeling, in-depth interviews, participatory mapping, participant observation, and participatory workshops, among others. I also utilize tools such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and spatial modeling techniques.