One area of research interest is in the field of positive youth development and the ways in which museums can and do use these programs to add value to the experiences of youth, institution, and community. This interest connects with broader research interest in the development and experiences of children, and the role played by parents, teachers, and out-of-school experiences in their development. Other areas of my recent research and evaluation work have been in the areas of public engagement with science and the public value of zoos and aquariums.
Fraser, J., Bicknell, J., Sickler, J., & Taylor, A. (2010). What information do zoo & aquarium visitors want on animal identification labels? Journal of Interpretation Research 14(2), 7-19.
Fraser, J., Clayton, S., Sickler, J., & Taylor, A. (2009). Belonging at the zoo: Retired volunteers, conservation activism, and collective identity. Ageing & Society 29(3), 351-368.
Fraser, J. & Sickler, J. (2009). Measuring the cultural impact of zoos and aquariums. International Zoo Yearbook 43(1), 103-112.
Fraser, J., & Sickler, J. (2008). Conservation Psychology: Who Cares about the Biodiversity Crisis? In Redford, K. and Fearn, E. (eds) State of the Wild, 2008-2009: A Global Portrait of Wildlife, Wildlands and Oceans. Washington DC: Island Press, 206-212.
Sickler, J. (May, 2009). Educational value of zoos and aquariums: Results from research on the perceptions of teachers, administrators, and parents. In session: Who Defines Value? Assessing Museum Impact in School Communities. American Association of Museums Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA; Oral paper presentation
Sickler, J. (May, 2009). Social value of zoo-going for parents. In session: Museums and Society: Engaging Visitors in Contemporary Civic Issues. American Association of Museums Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA; Oral paper presentation.
Sickler, J. (August, 2008). Popular Beliefs and Understanding of the Dolphin Mind. Presentation at conference The Minds of Animals: Conceptions from the Humanities, Sciences, and Popular Culture: Toronto, ON.
Sickler, J. (April, 2008). Enjoyment in zoos. In session:Quantifying Fun in the Museum Environment: Results from Recent Research. American Association of Museums Annual Meeting, Denver, CO; Oral paper presentation
Sickler, J., & Condon, K. (2008). Finding Common Ground within Communities: Value Connections between Zoos and Communities of Faith. Presentation at the Visitor Studies Association Annual Conference: Houston, TX.
Sickler, J. & Gupta, P. (July, 2009). What Does it Mean? Strategies for Communicating Research Implications. Visitor Studies Association Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO; Chair, Interactive program session
Sickler, J. & Fraser, J. (2009). Enjoyment in zoos. Leisure Studies 28(3), 313-331.
Sickler, J., Fraser, J., Webler, T., Reiss, D., Boyle, P., Lyn, H., et al. (2006). Social Narratives Surrounding Dolphins: Q-Method Study. Society & Animals 14(4) 351-382.
