Ascelin's research focuses on interdisciplinary problems in conservation science. His current research focuses on developing modelling approaches for understanding the impacts of environmental policies on biodiversity values in the landscape. He also has a range of other research areas of interest including:

• Conservation planning and spatial prioritisation;
• Dealing with uncertainties in conservation planning data;
• Setting priorities for conservation investment using ecological and economic theory;
• Ecological populating modelling;
• Risk and decision-making for conservation;Conservation on private land and market based instruments for conservation;
• Game theory and agent based modelling for conservation and natural resource management.