What do you explore in your PhD-project?
Within LUCSUS, I am involved in the NaturICE research project, funded by FORMAS. NaturICE employs a values-based approach to examine the evolving dynamics of human-nature relationships amidst glacier retreat. My specific focus revolves around the intersection of environmental and epistemic justice, emphasizing the subjective experiences of climate change. In my contribution to NaturICE, I investigate how diverse cosmological worldviews influence individuals' connections with glaciers.
What is your background?
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and International Development from the University of Sussex, with a study abroad year at Elon University. Always having been drawn to the study of environmental issues and sustainability, I went on to pursue a joint master's degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) at four different institutions in Europe and North America.
What did you do before starting your PhD at LUCSUS?
I started my PhD soon after graduating from my master’s program. In the months leading up to my enrollment at LUCSUS, my primary focus was dedicated to my master's thesis. This research, conducted in collaboration with a First Nation community in Saskatchewan, Canada, delved into Traditional Ecological Knowledge and participatory mapping as its central themes.
What made you want to apply for PhD studies at LUCSUS?
Halfway through my master’s studies, I came to the realization that pursuing a PhD was exactly what I wished to do next. It was around the same time that I also got to know and fall in love with Lund and Lund University. Applying for this PhD position aligned with my interests, ambitions, and life goals, as NaturICE perfectly resonated with my aspirations. I instinctively felt that LUCSUS was the place where I truly belonged.
What excites you most about your work as a PhD student?
It is hard to pinpoint just a handful of things that excite me about this new chapter in my life, but the first three that stand out are: working on a project that feels tailor-made for my research interests, being part of LUCSUS, and the endless opportunities for meaningful networking. It is an honor and a source of joy to be part of NaturICE, a four-year opportunity to further my understanding of people’s relationship with nature. Every moment spent with my supervisors and colleagues at LUCSUS is a chance for personal and professional growth. And lastly, I look forward to crossing paths with fellow researchers from diverse backgrounds, building connections that will enrich my journey in the years to come.
What do you hope your research can contribute with to society?
My hope for my work is that it will serve as an inspiration for those around me - and possibly the broader community - to look inwards at one's own ways to relate to nature, encouraging an understanding that what might be perceived as universal truths could vary across different contexts. And that is A-okay!
