Before joining the University of Exeter in 2018, Sabrina Eisenbarth was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Oxford.
Sabrina Eisenbarth’s research focuses on environmental and resource economics as well as international trade. She is particularly interested in the sustainable management of fisheries and forests. Moreover, she works on Chinese trade and environmental policy.
Her work combines theory with empirical data analysis, mostly using micro-econometric methods. Moreover, Sabrina Eisenbarth works with randomized controlled trials.
Qualifications
PhD in Economics
Links
Research interests
- Environmental and Resource Economics
- International Trade
Sabrina Eisenbarth’s research focuses on the sustainable management of renewable resources, such as fisheries and forests. Moreover, she is interested in solutions to environmental problems in a globalized world, engaging in research at the intersection between international trade and environmental or resource economics.
Research projects
As part of her research on trade in renewable resources, Sabrina Eisenbarth studies the impact of trade in fishery products on the likelihood of a fishery’s collapse. Moreover, she analyses the adoption of sustainable fisheries management.
Sabrina Eisenbarth's work on forest management includes several externally funded projects. A recently concluded randomized controlled trial explored successful ways of conserving community forests in Uganda. This research was funded through the Metaketa III: Natural Resources Governance Grant and the research outputs were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and in Environmental and Resource Economics.
Ongoing work investigates how the effect of collective conservation payments depends on a group's pre-existing institutions and how those institutions evolve in response to payments. This work is funded by Duke University, Dragon Capital and the University of Exeter.
Furthermore, Sabrina Eisenbarth is a co-investigator on the UKRI-funded NetZeroPlus project. The project investigates how the planting of woodlands can best support the UK Government’s commitment to achieving ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Slough T, Rubenson D, Levy R, Alpizar Rodriguez F, Bernedo del Carpio M, Buntaine MT, Christensen D, Cooperman A, Eisenbarth S, Ferraro PJ, et al (2021). Adoption of community monitoring improves common pool resource management across contexts.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
118(29), e2015367118-e2015367118.
Abstract:
Adoption of community monitoring improves common pool resource management across contexts
Pervasive overuse and degradation of common pool resources (CPRs) is a global concern. To sustainably manage CPRs, effective governance institutions are essential. A large literature has developed to describe the institutional design features employed by communities that successfully manage their CPRs. Yet, these designs remain far from universally adopted. We focus on one prominent institutional design feature, community monitoring, and ask whether nongovernmental organizations or governments can facilitate its adoption and whether adoption of monitoring affects CPR use. To answer these questions, we implemented randomized controlled trials in six countries. The harmonized trials randomly assigned the introduction of community monitoring to 400 communities, with data collection in an additional 347 control communities. Most of the 400 communities adopted regular monitoring practices over the course of a year. In a meta-analysis of the experimental results from the six sites, we find that the community monitoring reduced CPR use and increased user satisfaction and knowledge by modest amounts. Our findings demonstrate that community monitoring can improve CPR management in disparate contexts, even when monitoring is externally initiated rather than homegrown. These findings provide guidance for the design of future programs and policies intended to develop monitoring capabilities in communities. Furthermore, our harmonized, multisite trial provides sustainability science with a new way to study the complexity of socioecological systems and builds generalizable insights about how to improve CPR management.
Abstract.
DOI.
Costello C, Millage K, Eisenbarth S, Galarza E, Ishimura G, Rubino LL, Saccomanno V, Sumaila UR, Strauss K (2021). Ambitious subsidy reform by the WTO presents opportunities for ocean health restoration.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE,
16(4), 1391-1396.
Author URL.
Full text.
DOI.
Eisenbarth S, Graham L, Rigterink AS (2021). Can community monitoring save the commons? Evidence on forest use and displacement.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
118(29), e2015172118-e2015172118.
Abstract:
Can community monitoring save the commons? Evidence on forest use and displacement
Rapid deforestation is a major driver of greenhouse-gas emissions (1). One proposed policy tool to halt deforestation is community forest management. Even though communities manage an increasing proportion of the world’s forests, we lack good evidence of successful approaches to community forest management. Prior studies suggest that successful approaches require a number of “design conditions” to be met. However, causal evidence on the effectiveness of individual design conditions is scarce. This study isolates one design condition, community-led monitoring of the forest, and provides causal evidence on its potential to reduce forest use. The study employs a randomized controlled trial to investigate the impact of community monitoring on forest use in 110 villages in Uganda. We explore the impact of community monitoring in both monitored and unmonitored areas of the forest, using exceptionally detailed data from on-the-ground measurements and satellite imagery. Estimates indicate that community monitoring does not affect our main outcome of interest, a forest-use index. However, treatment villages see a relative increase in forest loss outside of monitored forest areas compared to control villages. This increase is seen both in nonmonitored areas adjacent to treatment villages and in nonmonitored areas adjacent to neighboring villages not included in the study. We tentatively conclude that at least part of the increase in forest loss in nonmonitored areas is due to displacement of forest use by members of treatment villages due to fear of sanctions. Interventions to reduce deforestation should take this potentially substantial effect into consideration.
Abstract.
DOI.
Costello C, Millage K, Eisenbarth S, Galarza E, Ishimura G, Rubino LL, Saccomanno V, Sumaila UR, Strauss K (2021). Correction to: Ambitious subsidy reform by the WTO presents opportunities for ocean health restoration (Sustainability Science, (2020), 10.1007/s11625-020-00865-z).
Sustainability Science,
16(3).
Abstract:
Correction to: Ambitious subsidy reform by the WTO presents opportunities for ocean health restoration (Sustainability Science, (2020), 10.1007/s11625-020-00865-z)
The original article can be found online.
Abstract.
DOI.
Eisenbarth S (2021). Do exports of renewable resources lead to resource depletion? Evidence from fisheries.
Journal of Environmental Economics and Management DOI.
Eisenbarth S, Graham L, Rigterink AS (2020). Can Reminders of Rules Induce Compliance? Experimental Evidence from a Common Pool Resource Setting.
Environmental and Resource Economics,
79(4), 653-681.
Abstract:
Can Reminders of Rules Induce Compliance? Experimental Evidence from a Common Pool Resource Setting
AbstractThis paper presents results from an RCT exploring whether a behavioural intervention can improve the conservation of a common pool resource. The literature on common pool resource management suggests that the existence of rules and sanctions is important to resource conservation. However, behavioural science suggests that individuals have finite cognitive capacity and may not be attentive to these rules and sanctions. This paper investigates the impact of an SMS message intervention designed to improve users’ knowledge of and attentiveness to existing forest use rules. An RCT in Uganda explores the impact of these messages on forest use and compliance with the rules. This paper finds that SMS messages raise the perceived probability of sanctions for rule-breakers. However, SMS messages do not induce full compliance with forest use rules or systematically reduce forest use.
Abstract.
DOI.
Eisenbarth S (2017). Is Chinese trade policy motivated by environmental concerns?.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT,
82, 74-103.
Author URL.
Full text.
DOI.
Publications by year
2021
Slough T, Rubenson D, Levy R, Alpizar Rodriguez F, Bernedo del Carpio M, Buntaine MT, Christensen D, Cooperman A, Eisenbarth S, Ferraro PJ, et al (2021). Adoption of community monitoring improves common pool resource management across contexts.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
118(29), e2015367118-e2015367118.
Abstract:
Adoption of community monitoring improves common pool resource management across contexts
Pervasive overuse and degradation of common pool resources (CPRs) is a global concern. To sustainably manage CPRs, effective governance institutions are essential. A large literature has developed to describe the institutional design features employed by communities that successfully manage their CPRs. Yet, these designs remain far from universally adopted. We focus on one prominent institutional design feature, community monitoring, and ask whether nongovernmental organizations or governments can facilitate its adoption and whether adoption of monitoring affects CPR use. To answer these questions, we implemented randomized controlled trials in six countries. The harmonized trials randomly assigned the introduction of community monitoring to 400 communities, with data collection in an additional 347 control communities. Most of the 400 communities adopted regular monitoring practices over the course of a year. In a meta-analysis of the experimental results from the six sites, we find that the community monitoring reduced CPR use and increased user satisfaction and knowledge by modest amounts. Our findings demonstrate that community monitoring can improve CPR management in disparate contexts, even when monitoring is externally initiated rather than homegrown. These findings provide guidance for the design of future programs and policies intended to develop monitoring capabilities in communities. Furthermore, our harmonized, multisite trial provides sustainability science with a new way to study the complexity of socioecological systems and builds generalizable insights about how to improve CPR management.
Abstract.
DOI.
Costello C, Millage K, Eisenbarth S, Galarza E, Ishimura G, Rubino LL, Saccomanno V, Sumaila UR, Strauss K (2021). Ambitious subsidy reform by the WTO presents opportunities for ocean health restoration.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE,
16(4), 1391-1396.
Author URL.
Full text.
DOI.
Eisenbarth S, Graham L, Rigterink AS (2021). Can community monitoring save the commons? Evidence on forest use and displacement.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
118(29), e2015172118-e2015172118.
Abstract:
Can community monitoring save the commons? Evidence on forest use and displacement
Rapid deforestation is a major driver of greenhouse-gas emissions (1). One proposed policy tool to halt deforestation is community forest management. Even though communities manage an increasing proportion of the world’s forests, we lack good evidence of successful approaches to community forest management. Prior studies suggest that successful approaches require a number of “design conditions” to be met. However, causal evidence on the effectiveness of individual design conditions is scarce. This study isolates one design condition, community-led monitoring of the forest, and provides causal evidence on its potential to reduce forest use. The study employs a randomized controlled trial to investigate the impact of community monitoring on forest use in 110 villages in Uganda. We explore the impact of community monitoring in both monitored and unmonitored areas of the forest, using exceptionally detailed data from on-the-ground measurements and satellite imagery. Estimates indicate that community monitoring does not affect our main outcome of interest, a forest-use index. However, treatment villages see a relative increase in forest loss outside of monitored forest areas compared to control villages. This increase is seen both in nonmonitored areas adjacent to treatment villages and in nonmonitored areas adjacent to neighboring villages not included in the study. We tentatively conclude that at least part of the increase in forest loss in nonmonitored areas is due to displacement of forest use by members of treatment villages due to fear of sanctions. Interventions to reduce deforestation should take this potentially substantial effect into consideration.
Abstract.
DOI.
Costello C, Millage K, Eisenbarth S, Galarza E, Ishimura G, Rubino LL, Saccomanno V, Sumaila UR, Strauss K (2021). Correction to: Ambitious subsidy reform by the WTO presents opportunities for ocean health restoration (Sustainability Science, (2020), 10.1007/s11625-020-00865-z).
Sustainability Science,
16(3).
Abstract:
Correction to: Ambitious subsidy reform by the WTO presents opportunities for ocean health restoration (Sustainability Science, (2020), 10.1007/s11625-020-00865-z)
The original article can be found online.
Abstract.
DOI.
Eisenbarth S (2021). Do exports of renewable resources lead to resource depletion? Evidence from fisheries.
Journal of Environmental Economics and Management DOI.
2020
Eisenbarth S, Graham L, Rigterink AS (2020). Can Reminders of Rules Induce Compliance? Experimental Evidence from a Common Pool Resource Setting.
Environmental and Resource Economics,
79(4), 653-681.
Abstract:
Can Reminders of Rules Induce Compliance? Experimental Evidence from a Common Pool Resource Setting
AbstractThis paper presents results from an RCT exploring whether a behavioural intervention can improve the conservation of a common pool resource. The literature on common pool resource management suggests that the existence of rules and sanctions is important to resource conservation. However, behavioural science suggests that individuals have finite cognitive capacity and may not be attentive to these rules and sanctions. This paper investigates the impact of an SMS message intervention designed to improve users’ knowledge of and attentiveness to existing forest use rules. An RCT in Uganda explores the impact of these messages on forest use and compliance with the rules. This paper finds that SMS messages raise the perceived probability of sanctions for rule-breakers. However, SMS messages do not induce full compliance with forest use rules or systematically reduce forest use.
Abstract.
DOI.
2017
Eisenbarth S (2017). Is Chinese trade policy motivated by environmental concerns?.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT,
82, 74-103.
Author URL.
Full text.
DOI.
- Environmental Economics
- Resource Economics
- International Trade
Modules
2021/22
