Dr. Cynthia Longmire

Senior Social Scientist

As the Social Science Lead with DJ Case, Cindy draws on her biological and social sciences backgrounds to use integrated and collaborative frameworks to work with people affected by natural resource and environmental change issues. While trained primarily as a survey methodologist, Cindy’s work has focused on mixed methodologies – using the most appropriate method – for identifying and integrating people’s concerns and desires into the decision-making process. With 18 years of designing and conducting social science research projects in the conservation field, she has extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodology and analyses. Much of her current work focuses on program monitoring and evaluation and informing agency decision-making processes.

Before her time with DJ Case, Cindy worked as a state agency human dimensions lead, where she held a critical role in high-profile, complex, and challenging wildlife, fish, and outdoor recreation issues in the state. Cindy directed the agency’s public engagement processes, designed and implemented survey research, assisted with strategic and long-range planning, and facilitated the integration of social and biological information in decision-making processes. Cindy completed a dual-title doctorate in Rural Sociology and Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment at The Pennsylvania State University. She holds a master’s in Forestry (policy), as well as a bachelor’s in Forestry Resource Management from the University of Tennessee. She is currently pursuing data science certification using the R language and environment for statistical computing and graphics online through Harvard University.

Having grown up playing in the Southern Appalachian forests, Cindy enjoys sharing her experiences in backpacking, kayaking, and fly fishing with others — helping them to develop their skills and confidence to venture into the outdoors. When not at work, Cindy can often be found enjoying the outdoors with her faithful trail companion/adventure dogs, Hatch and Tippet, who never miss a chance to strap on their packs and explore new trails and streams. 

Skills & Expertise
Social science
Human dimensions
Survey methodology
Data science
Office Phone
574-258-0100
Dr. Cindy Longmire
Black Hunters / JEDI Focus Groups

2023

Black Hunters / JEDI Focus Groups

Unlike many American demographics, little qualitative or quantitative data has been generated capable of documenting the barriers, experiences, and perceptions of Black hunters in a scientifically rigorous or defendable way. Consequently, natural resource management agencies have been chronically ill-equipped to deliver programs, practices, and engagement points to Black Americans that effectively address the specific, and often obscured, needs of this community. Additionally, past efforts have a), proven too generalized to capture the critical nuance behind the barriers and needs of the Black outdoorsperson, b) lacked incorporation of established social science best-practices for researching marginalized communities, and c) failed to provide actionable and effective recommendations for agencies committed to serving and engaging broader constituencies. This project is working to correct the above gaps and deficiencies in our knowledge of engagement strategies for Black outdoorspersons and to empower agencies to implement strategies that can help re-enforce the tradition of Black hunters in America. 

online learning initiative by Harvard University

November 2019

Data science certification

Began work on data science certification using the R language and environment online through Harvard University.

DJ Case logo

July 2019

Joined DJ Case Team

SD Game, Fish and Parks

2014-2019

Deer License Allocation Project 2014-2019

Working with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, Cindy helped evaluate the state’s deer hunting license allocation system to determine how to increase chances hunters would be drawn for their preferred license. Through a multi-faceted public involvement process – extending over several years and involving surveys, focus groups, stakeholder meetings, and public hearings – Cindy helped the agency identify alternatives to the traditional drawing process. South Dakota put the new process in place in 2019 resulting in more than 1,600 additional deer hunters drawing their preferred license.

Penn State

2012

Penn State University

Doctor of Philosophy: Rural Sociology & Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment

Dissertation: Pennsylvania's Private Forest Landowners: Exploring Motivations, Management Activities and Sources of Information

UT Knoxville

2007

University of Tennessee

Master of Science: Forestry Policy

Thesis: Natural Resources in the Northern Cumberlands: A Determination of Residents' Values