Welcome to Currents: A Student Blog for the 2023–2024 school year! As the new executive board, we can’t wait to see what this year has in store for SMEA students and our readership. We’re excited to bring you another school year of incredible and informative articles, and what better way to start than to meet the second-year students behind the curtain?

Currents shares timely and relevant discussions of pressing environmental issues, particularly, but not limited to, marine and coastal systems and the interactions between humans and nature. We aim to center science communication and environmental justice through the written word and other associated creative means. Take a look at our mission statement (courtesy of the hard work of previous executive boards), stay tuned for a new blog article each week, 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!

Katalin Plummer (she/her): Editor-in-Chief

Why did you choose to get involved in Currents?
Writing has always felt like home to me, and I’m grateful to have been blessed with a talent for it. I also love the ocean, and I want to share that far and wide so that other people can love it, too. As a marine biologist, I recognize that science is traditionally inaccessible to many, and I’m passionate about helping to solve that problem.

The written word is an incredibly powerful medium, and I am excited for a year of encouraging SMEA students to find and use their voices.

What is your favorite SMEA class?
I have two favorites that I can’t decide between: Marine and Environmental Affairs Theory and Practice and U.S. Coastal and Ocean Law. The first, taught by Dr. Anne Beaudreau, was an unparalleled introduction to the Salish Sea region, different ways of knowing, and challenges in the marine sciences. Anne is not only the sweetest person, but she also does an incredible job of easing you into the program and inspiring you to critically analyze what you know and how you think. The second is taught by Dr. Ryan Kelly, who is both super smart and a hoot and a half. As a self-proclaimed law and policy nerd, I took a lot away from this class, and not just in law knowledge. Ryan’s unique talent for breaking down complex topics into their basic components makes inaccessible topics easy to learn and understand. That’s a science communicator’s dream!

What are your goals for this school year?
This upcoming school year is full of potential! There are a lot of things I’m excited about—exploring career opportunities, completing my capstone, and helping lead Currents, just to name a few—but my main goal for this year is to continue developing my community in the marine sciences and in Seattle. I’ve met so many incredible people so far, and I know there are even more out there. 

Favorite summer memory?
This past summer, I was lucky enough to spend five weeks at Friday Harbor Laboratories as the teaching assistant for a larval biology class. Not only did I have a blast living at a marine station and doing a lot of science, but I met some of my favorite people who will forever have a place in my heart. Long live Bugula, and praiseycottus!

What kind of hobbies do you enjoy?
I am a classical singer, and that takes up a lot of my time—opera is hard work! I also love to walk (hiking included), read (audiobooks included), and do puzzles (Jeopardy! included). Lately, I’m trying to teach myself to sew and embroider with mixed results. 

What are you listening to right now?
I’m always on the hunt for new music, especially of the psychedelic rock variety. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Altin Gün, thanks to a dear friend. I’ve also been listening to a lot of cumbia with modern twists, and I’m always partial to Vicente García, Allman Brothers Band, and Hermanos Gutiérrez.

Read more of Katalin’s work:
Money Doesn’t Grow on Public Lands: The Cost of Livestock Grazing in the American West
The Art of Restoration: Connecting to Nature as We Mend Our Natural Landscapes

Jazzmin Fragiacomo (she/her): Creative Director

Why did you choose to get involved in Currents?
Years ago, I attempted to start my own blog so I could develop my public-facing writing skills. In theory, it seemed like a good idea, but in practice, it was harder than I anticipated. Writing on your own with no support and no one to hold you accountable makes for infrequent posts and bad writing. When I began looking into SMEA, Currents’ articles were some of the first things I read on the SMEA website. Once I got to the program, I learned more about the Currents publishing process and the supportive community of board members and authors. I was drawn to Currents because writing in a supportive environment seemed like the best way to develop my writing skills and find community during graduate school.

What is your favorite SMEA class?
So far, my favorite SMEA class has been Climate Change Governance with Dr. Nives Dolsak. Even though this course triggered my eco-anxiety like no other, I enjoyed the lengthy discussions on federal and state climate and environmental policies, how they worked (or didn’t), and what might be some solutions to long-standing issues environmental policy faces. Additionally, Nives is a brilliant and funny professor who is passionate about climate change policy and empowering students to find their own way in the field.

What kind of hobbies do you enjoy?
Like others in Seattle, the hobbies I enjoy depend greatly on the weather (and by extension my mood). During the warm and sunny days, I’ll always be outside, whether it’s swimming, hiking, biking, climbing, yoga in the park, or a delicious beer in a beer garden. I’m always looking for a reason to be in the sun. During the cold and dark days of Seattle’s winter, however, my hobbies are less active in nature as the coziness of my home beckons me to bake bread, read while drinking tea and snuggling with my cat, or throw myself into my latest DIY project.

What is your favorite recipe to cook?
Cooking and baking are the main ways I show affection and alleviate stress. I always love trying new recipes or experimenting with a new baked good or bread recipe. But hands down my favorite recipe to make is my mom’s butternut squash soup with a tofu ricotta grilled cheese. Not only is this a nostalgic meal for me, but it’s also the best way to keep warm in the cold months and a great way to make meals for a few days!

Read more of Jazzmin’s work:
Finding Connection to Nature Through the Practice of Yoga
Why Give A Dam About the Snake River
Underrated Activities to do with Your Visiting Parents

Elise Adams (she/her): Social Media Coordinator

Why did you choose to get involved in Currents?
My journey has ebbed, flowed, shifted, and transformed, but I’ve known for a while that combining my love for the ocean and our natural environment with my background in Communications has always been my end goal. Despite the nerves of starting graduate school, last year’s Currents board was so encouraging and welcoming to our new cohort to join, write, and share the wonders of the ocean, while helping each other grow and thrive in the writing world! I knew I wanted to be a part of such a welcoming group of colleagues and writers who would help tear down walls and shape the future of collaborative and inclusive science communication. 

What is your favorite SMEA class?
My favorite SMEA class so far has hands down been Marine and Environmental Affairs Theory and Practice with Professor Beaudreau. Not only is Anne by far the best and most compassionate professor to introduce and welcome us to SMEA, but she fostered and grew our cohort’s sense of community, inclusivity, and collaboration that we’ve taken with us through our first year. It was pretty cool to be in person, get to know one another, grow with and off of each other’s goals, and see all that was in store for us during our time at SMEA. 

What kind of hobbies do you enjoy?
The last year has allowed me to not only shape and evolve my pre-existing hobbies, but constantly be trying to add new ones! Shocker, I’m a marine biologist who loves the water—you’ll often find me doing laps at the local pool or wandering around Whidbey Island’s beaches. When I’m not submerged in water, I’m likely exploring Seattle’s beer scene, painting or reading, watching Food Network with my cat, Moony, or trying to bike Seattle’s hills (keyword: trying) with my partner, Kieran. 

What is your favorite recipe to cook?
I grew up in a family who loved (and I mean LOVED) to cook together. Jamming to some M83 and trying to fend off Moony from my neatly organized mise en place’d veggies is a nightly routine. If I had to choose only one recipe to make, I definitely think it would be my Grandma’s spaghetti. Spending the day smelling the vegetables and spices simmering and transforming into a rich sauce can’t be beat. And don’t get me started on the garlic bread…

Favorite summer memory?
While my summer was full of fun in the sun and outdoor adventures, there was nothing compared to the two weeks I spent in Europe this September! I was lucky enough to explore through Munich and smalltown Bavaria, immerse myself in Scotland’s rich history and learn everything I could about Mary Queen of Scots, and finally braved the left side of the road as we road tripped throughout the Irish countryside! When we weren’t tasting the local pub fare or wandering through history, my favorite part of the trip was without a doubt our stop in the lucious grassy hills and quaint seaside villages of Dingle, Ireland. As we embarked on our journey out of town towards Dublin and joked that we hadn’t encountered any sheep herd crossings yet, we stumbled upon a small pasture where we were lucky enough to feed a farm full of sheep, mini horses, donkey’s, and llama’s! While this trip was full of cool experiences, gorgeous sights, and unforgettable memories, finally getting the opportunity to spend time with my sweet new friends was absolutely the highlight of this once in a lifetime trip!

Read more of Elise’s work:
It’s All in the Stars(fish): What Your Astrological Sign Says About Your Favorite Marine Life
Journey Through the Oceans: A Reflection on the Parallels of Humpback Whale Migration and my Journey to SMEA

Farrah Hasan (she/her): Managing Editor

Why did you choose to get involved in Currents?
I’ve always gravitated towards writing, and reading others’ work not only lets me appreciate the craft, but I also get to learn what topics interest them. Currents is engaging in this way; sometimes authors continue exploring a project from class, and other times their pieces are driven by a new curiosity. As a reader, I am in awe of the range of topics covered, and how together they create a diverse representation of what SMEA students are inspired by.

What project are you working on and excited about?
My thesis covers how a port city in Bangladesh serves as a promising refuge for climate migrants. I have committed myself to climate migration for years, but this summer was the first time I spoke with migrants myself. It was also the first time in 17 years that I returned to Bangladesh. This project is both academic and incredibly personal. Not only did fieldwork give me inspiration for my career plans, but it also left me deeply reflective of my identity and values.

What is your favorite recipe to cook?
Masoor daal is the first thing I cooked that I learned from my family, and I love it so much I turned our recipe into a poem. It reminds me of early childhood, when before school lunches, my mid-day meal was a plate of rice and daal. Today, it’s my comfort dish that happens to be packed with plant-based protein. It’s what I present when cooking for someone for the first time because thankfully, not only is it a personally significant dish, but it’s also notoriously easy.

Favorite summer memory?
My friend and I rented a car in Turkey, and it gave us a chance to escape the city. We would drive through the countryside, stop at villages for breakfast, and venture towards national parks. My favorite memory is one we didn’t plan at all. We ended up at a mosque on top of a mountain. It was just the two of us, in a small but ornate house of God, where we could see nothing but farmland from the windows and hear nothing but the wind circling us. It felt like a moment from a fairytale.

Read more of Farrah’s work:
Climate Fiction Starter Pack
Community Engagement And Adaptation: Nyc’s East Side Coastal Resiliency Project

Jack Winterhalter (he/him): Copy Editor

Why did you choose to get involved in Currents?
I choose to get involved in Currents as a way to dive deeper into some topics of interest outside of those we discuss in class. I didn’t have any public-facing writing experience prior to joining Currents and it has been a fantastic way to expand my skill set. Some of the great things about Currents are that there are no prerequisites for joining and that we are given the freedom to write about almost anything. Currents offers a unique opportunity and medium for students to share their stories, research, and ideas outside of the classroom.

What is your favorite SMEA class?
My favorite SMEA class so far might have to be U.S. Coastal and Ocean Law taught by Dr. Ryan Kelly. Offered in the winter quarter, this course is an introduction to the legal world and some of the foundational environmental laws in the U.S. such as the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act among others. An entire class could probably be devoted to each one of these laws, but Ryan gives us the framework to understand legal jargon and analyze court rulings. I’m eager to expand my legal knowledge by taking Water Law through the UW Law School this autumn. Outside of SMEA, I would also highly recommend Watershed Ecology and Management with Dr. Gordon Holtgrieve in SAFS and The Carbon Cycle with Dr. Abigail Swann in Atmospheric Sciences. 

What are your goals for this school year?
UW and Seattle have so much to offer that I often feel overwhelmed by the exciting opportunities. At school, I’m eager to work more on our capstone studying hard rock mine expansion in Alaska. I’m excited to further explore other areas of interest by taking electives in other departments such as the Law School and Evans School of Public Policy. Outside of school, I’m hoping to get more involved in local climate and labor organizing groups. 

What kind of hobbies do you enjoy?
Like your typical outdoors enthusiast of the Pacific Northwest, I enjoy all manner of mountain and forest activities: hiking, back(/bike)packing, trail running, and (when my knee decides to cooperate) skiing and climbing. I’ve also been sharpening my pickleball skills and hope to eventually dominate the Green Lake scene. When home, I enjoy a good movie or book and tending to my victory garden. 

Favorite summer memory?
I really enjoyed exploring more of Washington this summer both on land and sea. Some of the highlights were camping in the North Cascades, biking around Bainbridge Island, and jumping in various rivers. My busiest week however was occupied by a 3-day trip to Friday Harbor for the Program on Climate Change’s Summer Institute immediately followed by a backpacking trip in the Enchantments. Both of these places are a must-see in Washington and I am so glad to have been able to fit that journey into my summer. 

Read more of Jack’s work:
Solarpunk: A Vision For A Sustainable Future
The Fight Against Extraction: Civil Disobedience In The Climate Movement