I’m a mixed-methods social scientist interested in parks and public spaces. My research is focused on understanding the values these places provide to individuals and our broader society, as well as the values that we ascribe to them.
My work has appeared in a variety of peer-reviewed and professional outlets. I also author an unpopular Substack focused on leisure and contemporary culture.
Education
PhD, Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, Penn State University, 2017
MS, Recreation Management and Policy, University of New Hampshire, 2012
BS, Health Promotion, American University, 2010
Research Interests
Parks and protected areas
Social and environmental determinants of health
Theory, philosophy, and practice of leisure
Secretary of the Board of Directors, National Environment and Recreation Research Association (NERRA)
Officer, Board of Directors, Academy of Leisure Sciences
Associate Editor, Journal of Park and Recreation Management
Associate Editor, Journal of Leisure Research
Pitas, Zou, & Jeong. (2025). Voting “yes” for community-level conservation: Cognitive antecedents of support for a greenspace ballot initiative. Society and Natural Resources.
Pitas, Russell, Mullenbach, & Rose. (2024). Attitudes towards unhoused park users and preferences for public space management: Applying the Potential for Conflict Index approach. Society and Natural Resources.
Pitas, Rose, Mullenbach, & Russell. (2024). Unhoused users in parks and public greenspace: An intergroup conflict approach. Landscape and Urban Planning.
