Q&A with Leah Huff
Why did you decide to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs?
When applying to graduate school, I was interested in studying climate change from a social science perspective. This is something that I started researching during my undergraduate studies and I was interested in finding a graduate program that would allow me to continue that research.
Describe your experience in applying to and selecting a graduate program.
When I was applying for graduate schools, I narrowed my choices down to two schools. One of them was offering to pay me to do my thesis on one of the professor’s chosen topics. The other was SMEA. While I was tempted by the offer from the first school, I would have to do my thesis on a pre-chosen topic that was not within my area of interest. SMEA would allow me to design my own thesis on a topic that interested me.
Why did you decide to come to UW’s SMEA for graduate school?
When choosing a university, I always thought that it was important to visit in-person to get a feel for the city and the university itself. However, due to COVID-19, this was not an option when I was applying to graduate school. I met the SMEA professors, staff, and potential students over Zoom for a prospective student orientation day. During the (long) day on Zoom, I felt a sense of community from the students, professors, staff, and I got the feeling that UW would be the best choice for my graduate studies.
Tell us about your Thesis work.
My thesis focuses on how climate change-related disasters and adaptation strategies are impacting the U.S. Filipino migrant community. It centers around climate justice by highlighting community dignity, ethics, and resilience. One of the most important aspects involves terminology and narratives and using a narrative that migrants support. The “migrants with dignity” narrative is preferred by many migrants because it gives them agency and a voice in a society that often ignores their needs or makes them invisible.
What has been your favorite class at UW so far? Why?
I took a class in the Anthropology Department last year with Dr. Holly Barker: “Undoing Settler Colonialism & Militarism in Oceania.” The class centered around student-led discussion using talanoa, which is a dialogue structure used in the Pacific that is participatory and inclusive, and aims to build empathy and relationships. Guest speakers and elders were also a large part of the learning process, and they were invited to class to speak about their life experiences or expertise. The close relationships that formed between students, guest speakers, and Holly was something that I have rarely seen happen in university classes. To be able to learn so much from speakers, Holly, and my fellow students was something that was incredibly special.
What do you like most about SMEA?
I’ve enjoyed the relationships and friendships that have formed. I think the SMEA 2022 cohort’s bond has been especially unique because our entire first year was online and, therefore, our primary modes of communication were our Slack channel and Zoom. I’m also happy and thankful to have had good relationships with my advisor and a few of my professors.
What’s it like to live in Seattle? What do you do in your spare time?
Living in Seattle is vastly different from my experiences growing up in Florida with the heat and constant sunshine. I’ve enjoyed getting to be a part of the large Filipino community here in Seattle. Most of my spare time is actually spent dancing with Sayaw, the traditional Filipino dance troupe at UW. Not only has it been a great bonding experience, but I’ve also been able to connect more with my Filipino culture and heritage.
What environment or ecosystem have you learned about in SMEA that you would like to visit or see first-hand someday?
Mangrove forests are my favorite ecosystems. They are one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. Growing up in Florida, I was surrounded by mangrove forests and they were part of the reason that I became interested in the marine environment and climate change.