Clare’s research interests and experience are in the investigation of attitudes to environmental issues in order to understand how to facilitate and encourage behavioural change. She has particular research interest in the social pillar of sustainability, and in cultural ecosystem services. This extends to seeking to understand how best to ensure these are given equal weighting with economic and environmental considerations in environmental decision making and land management. She has always been committed to multi-disciplinary research and in the application of mixed methods, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigation, as appropriate. 

Dr Clare Hall joined Forest Research in 2017, having previously worked as a social scientist in academic, policy and non-profit-making sectors. Previous employers include Zero Waste Scotland, Cardiff University and the Scottish Agricultural College (now Scotland’s Rural College). She was also seconded to Defra’s Plant Health Policy Team to work on social science issues relating to tree health in 2012/2013.