Welcome to Currents: Meet the Executive Board!
Hello and welcome to Currents 2022-2023! As the new executive board, we have spent the summer brainstorming and planning for another school year of excellent articles, and wanted to introduce ourselves before publishing begins. We are all second year SMEA students, excited to experience this year to the fullest. Take a look at our mission statement, courtesy of the hard work of previous executive boards. Be sure to check out the blog each week for new articles centering science communication and environmental justice, and follow our social media channels! Are you a SMEA student interested in writing for Currents? Please reach out to us, we’d love for you to join us!
Kathryn (Kat) Husiak (they/them): Editor-in-Chief
Why did you choose to get involved in Currents?
I joined Currents because I want to practice communicating inaccessible information that communities need/want so they can advocate for themselves in the face of climate change. Having done my fair share of reading and producing technical documents, I work now to simplify and contextualize information, whether it be for myself or others. As I get further into my education and career, I hope to engage communities directly, and communicate knowledge they find helpful.
My first article with Currents (linked below) was a co-authored piece with Leslie Nguyen. We turned a 10-week–long group research paper on political polarization and climate change action into a concise, personal, and accessible piece of work. My alma mater, Eckerd College, shared the article, and I had friends tell me that since reading the article they felt more empowered to connect with people who hold different political beliefs. It has been an amazing experience so far.
What are your goals for this school year?
I already feel pulled in many directions leading up to this year – Currents, my capstone project, classes, my internship with Seattle Public Utilities, and that other little thing called “my life” – so my primary goal is to be kind to myself and celebrate the work I am accomplishing. Secondly, I hope to explore and expand the career networking I have been doing in Seattle; everyone I meet is friendly and excited to share their knowledge. Finally, I want to take advantage of the huge variety of classes offered by all the UW departments.
Favorite summer memory?
So far, I had the BEST time when my two siblings came to visit from the East Coast, and I took them camping at Camano Island State Park. The three of us are very close and we had a lot to catch up on. We saw a massive shooting star, cooked veggie dogs over the campfire, and laughed so much. This was my first time leading a camping trip and it was a huge success – despite the fact that I forgot some sleeping pads – they both want to try camping again!
What is your favorite pasta noodle shape?
I have been very into the tiny, tiny star-shaped “pastinas.” I love making a minestrone-esque soup with the fresh veggies from my CSA, fava or white beans, and cute little stars!
Read more of Kat’s work below:
Currents:
Reflections and Recommendations: What is Kat Reading?
Bridging the Gap: How Climate Change Activists Can Overcome Political Boundaries
Amelia Wells (she/her): Social Media Coordinator
What project are you working on and excited about?
My capstone project involves working with communities on the Kuskokwim River in Alaska on river flooding and erosion as a part of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Navigating the New Arctic initiative. In collaboration with researchers from Iowa State University, our University of Washington team traveled to Bethel, AK in August 2022 to host a workshop and meet with community members to discuss the impacts of climate-related changes to the river and how that alters livelihoods in the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta. We also spent time in Akiak, AK where we worked with students to document erosion occurring in the village. By the end of the capstone, we aim to provide a report on community concerns, priorities, and experiences to aid in securing further funding from NSF for future mitigation and adaptation efforts.
How do you get your news?
I get most of my news from online news sources, including the New York Times, High Country News, and the Seattle Times. I listen frequently to NPR whenever I’m in the car and of course, love a good podcast. The Daily is one of my go tos.
What is your favorite pasta noodle shape?
Bowties. Always bowties.
Favorite summer memory?
My favorite memory was kayaking on the coast of Maine and seeing seals, ospreys, porpoises, and an eagle all in one day.
Read more of Amelia’s work below:
Currents:
The Fate of Frenchman Bay: A Contentious Battle over Downeast Maine’s Marine Resources
UW College of the Environment:
How computer models and statistics are shaping modern ecology
An 85-year-old fishing club’s records reveal the secrets of Puget Sound salmon
Maddison (Maddie) Hicks (she/her): Copy Editor
Why did you choose to get involved in Currents?
I chose to get involved in Currents because I think learning how to effectively communicate science is an essential tool for conservation and equity. Being in Currents also allows me to hone my writing skills, get constructive criticism through peer edits, and have my work published.
What project are you working on and excited about?
I’m really excited about my capstone project under my advisor, Cleo Wölfle-Hazard. My partner, Hannah King, and I are supporting the Karuk Tribe’s Department of Wildlife in their work on beaver restoration and recovery in the Klamath River. This summer we got to take a trip to California to float the river in kayaks and search for various signs of beaver presence along the mainstem. The Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA), amended in 2016, stated that soon the area will be having three major dams removed. Before this happens, the Karuk Tribe wants to understand the current population levels of beavers, among other things. It’s been an honor to support their work and I’m looking forward to continuing this project further.
What kind of hobbies do you enjoy?
I love being outside in nature with my dog and going hiking or camping. I played rugby in undergrad, but after a recent broken wrist I’m trading out rugby to try rock climbing instead. I also love to read (email me book recommendations!) and write poetry.
What is your favorite recipe to cook?
Sweet potato enchiladas!
Favorite summer memory?
This summer I was lucky enough to be a Teaching Assistant (TA) for the Marine Conservation Ecology course taught at Friday Harbor Labs on San Juan Island. I lived at the labs for five weeks and spent the summer exploring the tidepools and hanging from docks. Each day brought a new memory – like watching a bald eagle catch and drown a seagull, or seeing the incredible sunflower sea star in the wild– but I think my favorite memory had to be seeing the Southern Resident orcas during sunset, with an IPA in one hand and binoculars in the other.
Read more of Maddie’s work below:
Currents:
Treating The Blues: How Blue Spaces Have A Positive Impact On Mental Health
UW College of the Environment:
A story of 10,000 crows: the nightly migration to UW Bothell campus
Can artificial intelligence revolutionize weather forecasting?
Science at your fingertips: how the science of sand uncovers Earth’s mysteries
Cultivating community and tradition among the crops at the Native Garden
Katie Love (she/her): Managing Editor
What is your favorite SMEA class? What is your favorite UW elective?
My favorite SMEA course is Ecosystem Services Assessment (SMEA550) taught by Katie Arkema. Katie’s course promoted really insightful conversations on using ecosystem services to solve environmental and economic problems based on her inspiring field experience in Belize and the Bahamas. My favorite elective course is PubPol 598, Collaborative Governance taught by Michael Kern. Going into this course, I had no idea what collaborative governance was but liked the sounds of working together to solve policy issues. At the end of the quarter, I was thinking about the policy process in a whole new light and wishing all decisions could be discussed with a collaborative lens.
What project are you working on and excited about?
I am currently working with NOAA’s Communications and External Affairs branch on a project called the West Coast Region Salmon Story. The goal of this project is to highlight the human dimension of salmon recovery and counter the narrative that salmon recovery is hopeless. We are doing this by interviewing diverse and unique stakeholders from across the West and presenting their salmon stories collectively. I am so excited to be a facilitator and curator for this project!
Favorite summer memory?
My first year of grad school was non-stop (who’s isn’t?!) so it has felt amazing to slow down this summer. Among hikes in beautiful places, I have thoroughly enjoyed walking to and reading at Greenlake this summer. An added bonus, of course, being reading for pleasure, not just for classes.
What is your favorite pasta noodle shape?
A wagon wheel! They look cute, hold sauce well, and have a fun texture. After enjoying them in California my whole life, I was shocked that I couldn’t find wagon wheels anywhere when I moved to Seattle in 2018… except for one time during early Covid when stores were struggling to stock the shelves. I bought a box, thoroughly enjoyed it, and haven’t seen them again. Until next time, wagon wheels.
Read more of Katie’s work below:
Currents:
Olivia Horwedel (she/her): Creative Director
What project are you working on and excited about?
I am doing the capstone track within SMEA, working with the Elakha Alliance to produce a report that highlights Indigenous perspectives on sea otter reintroductions along the West Coast. Because Oregon is in the process of reintroducing sea otters to its coastlines, this capstone will be used to address the socio-ecological implications of marine mammal reintroductions to ecosystems, communities and livelihoods.
Why did you choose to get involved in Currents?
I chose to get involved with Currents because I wanted to challenge myself to write more frequently and creatively. Growing up, I never enjoyed writing and it was never one of my strengths. As I have gotten older, I realize it is imperative to develop writing skills regardless of career choice. The more I write, the more I enjoy it. While being a graduate student gives me plenty of opportunities to practice writing, I wanted an outlet where I could be more flexible and creative, while still honing my writing skills. Currents is an incredible opportunity to be playful while collaborating, brainstorming, and working alongside peers outside of the classroom. Not only is the Editorial Board of Currents a wonderful community, but I feel like it has provided so many wonderful opportunities to get feedback and publish my work.
Favorite summer memory?
This summer has been a busy but wonderful one. There are too many great memories to choose just one, but surfing Washington’s southwest coast always brings a smile to my face! I recently went with my partner and dog (who does not like waves or swimming). When I began to paddle out, she conquered her fears of the water and jumped over waves to swim out to me. It was her first time going surfing with us and it made me so happy to see her enjoying the ocean as much as we do!
What is your favorite french fry dip?
I LOVE RANCH. Well, honestly, I love any mayo-based fry sauce. But, as a proud Michigander, I couldn’t answer this question and not say ranch. It runs through my veins and is a staple to my diet.
Read more of Olivia’s work below:
Currents:
Exploring Sustainable Seafood-Featuring a recipe for garlic & herb encrusted Pacific rockfish