Making Natural Resource Economics Relevant for a Highly Diversified Student Clientele

The economics of natural resources has become an area of considerable interest for tertiary students in recent years, with subjects in this area introduced in various degree programs. This is a subject area where the interest of students in the natural world and environmental issues can be capitalized upon to gain student enthusiasm, provided the practical relevance of the economic theory for government and industry can be conveyed. A number of innovations have been trialed in teaching a third year undergraduate unit in economics of natural resources at the University of Queensland. The unit attracts students from a variety of backgrounds, including students in economics, commerce and natural resource management degrees, study abroad and exchange students, and postgraduate students from developing countries. Specific measures trialed to capture student interest and maximize morale in the subject have included provision of a large set of dedicated reference materials, use of guest lecturers, a class debate, use of newspaper clippings, a resource-type focus for lecture topics, and an opportunity for specialization in topics. Students exhibit particular interest in landrights issues, economics of renewable resources and economics of outdoor nature-based recreation. Survey evidence indicates a favourable attitude to lecture support materials.