Q&A with Bridget Harding
Why did you decide to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs?
Growing up in the scorching, drought-stricken Sonoran Desert made my annual family trip to San Diego really special. I was always amazed by the waves, the seashells, and the pure joy everyone experiences at the beach. When I finally visited my first aquarium (shoutout to the Birch Aquarium!) I became even more fascinated with the world below the waves. My dad was a king crab observer in Alaska for some years before he began teaching marine biology in Arizona, so I think he helped cultivate my curiosity and respect for the ocean, which finally led me to wanting a deeper understanding. SMEA seemed to be the perfect way for me to transition between loving the ocean and actually studying the systems behind our use of and interactions with it.
Why did you decide to come to UW’s SMEA for graduate school?
Finding out about SMEA was sort of a happy accident when a general biology professor in my undergrad mentioned the UW’s oceanography’s research briefly in a lecture. I had always wanted to experience life in Seattle, too, so I looked up the list of master’s degrees at the UW and SMEA jumped out at me. I was told that for applying to grad school you should always have a professor in mind, but all of the SMEA profs and their research seemed so interesting that I knew I had to come here and just learn!
Are you doing a thesis or capstone project? If thesis, what are you writing your thesis about and why?
I am doing a thesis project on environmental NGOs in South Korea. I was fortunate enough to have lived on Jeju island in South Korea for two years for a Fulbright. During my time there, not only did I come to LOVE island life, but I also learned about local efforts to clean up beaches and reduce single use plastics. Those local efforts evolved into nonprofits, and my curiosity on how NGOs in Korea came to be and sustain themselves turned into my research question. I was even more fortunate to have been provided funding through the Jackson School’s Center for Global Studies FLAS Fellowship to actually travel to South Korea in the summer of 2019 to conduct interviews! This project was a big endeavor and definitely one that I wouldn’t have imagined myself taking on while I was an undergrad!
What has been your favorite class at UW so far? Why?
This is a hard question because I haven’t had a class that I haven’t enjoyed. While I am not an experienced educator, I have always appreciated the effort of my professors, especially during the winter 2020 and spring 2020 quarters. I have taken courses in SMEA, the Jackson School, Language and Literature, and FISH. I would just say the variety of knowledge and experiences my professors and classmates have across all of these departments continues to amaze me even into the end of my time here.
Tell us about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed your SMEA experience. What’s a daily routine look like for you?
The COVID-19 pandemic really hits home as I have a parent who works everyday in the medical field. Because of this, I moved back to Arizona temporarily to help out at home. Not being able to see my friends in person and having classes in person is a challenge, but I really think that we are able to make the most out of it. The biggest challenge has been that most of my friends are graduating and moving away, so we have had to postpone our farewells. The mission we carryout by staying home, though, is worth all of these sacrifices, so I just do my best to stay in touch as regularly as possible. I also make sure to stick to routines, with classes, exercise, thesis, and rest. One of the most helpful things for me has been that our SMEA Diversity Forum (a student-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion discussion group) has seen an increase in participation (thanks to the improved accessibility with zoom), and that proves to me how strong our SMEA student body is even when we are apart!
What do you like most about SMEA?
I love how unique SMEA is as a program. Everyone has such different experiences that they bring to our SMEA community and classrooms that I learn something new even just by getting lunch with a fellow SMEA student. I also like that SMEA is really about the social component of ocean issues and that it does a great job addressing the complexities that come with humanity, the ocean, and the interaction of the two.
What’s it like to live in Seattle? What do you do in your spare time?
Seattle was a BIG change for me. I experienced snow falling from the sky for the first time, and I get to see water outside my kitchen window every single day! I absolutely love how quiet and calm the city is compared to its size. It is a great city for those who ride bikes, hike, or garden. I started raising plants in my house, which many locals may take for granted, but I have never lived with so much greenery in my life (besides on Jeju). I do warn those who are like me and are used to more sunny winters, please consult a physician about what proper vitamins you might want to take once December hits (my investment in vitamin D made a big difference in my winter experience).
If you could design your ultimate job after graduating, what would it be and why?
If I could design my dream job, I would be doing something related to helping people that helps the ocean, too. Perhaps that is too simple, but that is my ultimate goal.
What is your favorite form of marine life, and why?
The apricot sea slug is my favorite animal, only because I met a relatively large one during my first tide pooling adventure in Puerto Peñasco. I will never forget how excited I was to find one and observe it so up close. Another favorite of mine is the vaquita, one that I learned about a lot as a kid and am sad to see lose its battle with humans. They are a reminder to us that there is still a lot of work to be done.