Exploring Culture, Resistance, and Change: A Journey Through Research & Storytelling
Skills & Tools Employed:
Research & Analysis: Conducted extensive research on climate change impacts, particularly its relationship to global migration patterns.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrated environmental studies, anthropology, and migration theory to explore how climate change forces vulnerable populations to relocate.
Storytelling through Film: Complemented the essay with a short documentary that visually represented the lived experiences of climate migrants, blending academic rigor with creative expression.
Writing & Communication: Crafted a compelling thesis that translated complex environmental issues into accessible narratives, backed by data and real-world case studies.
Visual Media Production: Directed and edited a short documentary film, employing tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro to weave together visual storytelling with research findings.
Project Highlights:
This thesis examined the intersection of environmental degradation and human displacement, focusing on communities disproportionately affected by rising global temperatures. It analyzed climate-related migration not as a future risk but as a present, growing crisis affecting Pacific Islanders, among others, who face forced relocation due to worsening climate conditions.
Unique Contributions:
My thesis provided a critical framework for understanding climate-induced migration, highlighting the resilience and agency of affected communities. Through interviews, case studies, and archival footage, the accompanying film underscored the human stories behind the headlines, offering both a personal and academic exploration of this urgent global issue. By combining academic research with visual storytelling, I was able to present a multi-faceted view of climate migration that appealed to both academic and public audiences.
Black to Techno: An Exploration of Resistance and Black Cultural History
Critical Essay, An exploration of race, class, industrialism, and music in Jenn Nkiru’s “‘social anthropological’ experimental-documentary,” Black to Techno.
Project Highlights:
This essay provides a critical examination of the cultural history of techno music, particularly its roots in the Black communities of Detroit during the late 20th century. By analyzing the relationship between race, music, and industrial decline, it sheds light on how techno emerged as a form of resistance to socioeconomic marginalization and as an assertion of Black identity in a rapidly changing urban landscape.
Skills & Tools Employed:
Cultural & Historical Analysis: Explored the socio-political roots of techno music in Detroit, tracing its evolution as an expression of Black resistance and cultural identity.
Ethnographic Research: Engaged in a detailed investigation of race, class, and industrialism, examining how these forces shaped the development of Black music in post-industrial America.
Interdisciplinary Methods: Combined musicology, anthropology, and African American studies to create a nuanced understanding of the genre’s origins and its role in shaping modern Black cultural movements.
Writing & Storytelling: Produced a deeply analytical yet accessible essay that brought academic rigor to the examination of cultural history, while also highlighting the lived experiences of Black artists and communities.
Media & Social Documentary: Applied documentary filmmaking techniques to examine the intersection of Black culture and music, contributing to broader conversations on race and identity.
Unique Contributions:
I took a deep dive into how Detroit’s Black working-class youth used electronic music to resist socio-economic oppression and assert cultural agency. The essay's interdisciplinary approach merged academic research with personal narratives of Black artists, making it a comprehensive exploration of techno’s impact on identity formation and community resilience. By bringing fresh perspectives on the intersections of race, music, and politics, this essay contributes to contemporary discussions on the significance of music as a tool for social change.
Other Research & Copy
In Search of Embodiment: Yoga Instructors and Their Students, JURA 2020
HappiNest Podcast, Intros and What You’ll Learn Notes
Nature Based Grant Proposal, Families in Nature
Skills & Tools Employed:
Fieldwork & Cultural Immersion: Traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to conduct on-the-ground research with local communities and environmental organizations.
Archival Research: Focused on Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement and the Seed Savers Network, diving into rare archival materials to explore their lasting impact on sustainable agriculture.
Cross-Cultural Communication: Engaged with community leaders and activists, fostering collaborative discussions on climate resilience.
Qualitative Data Analysis: Synthesized field notes, interviews, and historical documents to build a nuanced understanding of grassroots environmental movements.
Public Presentation: Delivered research at the American Anthropological Association Conference, effectively translating findings for a wide range of academic and professional audiences.
Project Highlights:
This project explored how local environmental activism, inspired by Wangari Maathai, continues to foster sustainable practices in Kenyan communities. It emphasized the importance of indigenous knowledge in combating environmental degradation and promoted a more inclusive, community-driven approach to global climate challenges.