Professor Alan Collins is a distinguished academic in the field of Agricultural and Resource Economics at West Virginia University. Collins spent his formative years in the Western United States, primarily in Phoenix, Arizona, where his father worked for the Bureau of Land Management. His early exposure to natural resource management led him to pursue a degree in Natural Resource Economics from the University of Arizona in Tucson. Furthering his academic journey, he obtained his master's and doctoral degrees from Utah State University and Oregon State University, respectively. Collins' research interests are deeply rooted in natural resources and their use, with a particular focus on water quality. Since joining the faculty at West Virginia University in 1989, he has conducted extensive research on the management of poultry manure as a water quality influence and has undertaken studies on recycling. His work also extends to the exploration of the Marcellus shale gas boom in West Virginia, specifically examining the issue of split estates and the treatment of landowners in the process of natural gas extraction. Collins' research is characterized by a commitment to confidentiality and a dedication to giving voice to a range of experiences, from individual landowners to larger groups affected by resource management policies.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Professor Alan Collins provides a comprehensive overview of his research interests, academic background, and personal history. The discussion primarily revolves around his work on split estates in the context of the Marcellus shale gas boom in West Virginia. Collins explains the concept of split estates, where the ownership of surface rights to land has been separated from the ownership of the mineral rights, and discusses the implications of this separation for landowners during the process of natural gas extraction. The interview also delves into the methodology and ethical considerations of Collins' research. He emphasizes the importance of confidentiality in his work and discusses the challenges of obtaining representative survey responses, particularly from those who have had negative experiences with drilling companies. Collins also shares insights into the range of experiences of landowners, from those who have had negative encounters with drilling companies to those who have had positive experiences. The interview concludes with a discussion on the potential voices from the industry that could be included in future research, suggesting the inclusion of landmen, who negotiate with surface owners and mineral right holders.