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I am a (science) education researcher and look at most things in the world through the lens of education. On disaster (or anything else), the questions I ask are - e.g., why should we teach about it? What should we teach about it, and how? How can we support teachers to teach about disasters in their classrooms? My training in educational research has equipped me with the theories, tools and methods that can be utilised to approach these questions. I am hoping that these knowledge, experiences and skills can cross-fertilise with EcoGovLab's expertise in anthropology, SPS and environmental governance.

I bring visual and graphic expertise, good organization skills, focus on pedagogical issues;

I think I am skilled in finding the information I need and am also good at getting information from people. Over the course of the past few months I have created a network of people within the government (EPA, CalEPA, CUPA’s, LEPC’s) and know how to get information on chemical facilities in the state. This expertise I have created has made it so that I know how to talk with the government and what questions to ask in order to get information (this obviously isn’t perfect but the research I'm doing now is furthering my capabilities). I have connected this research to my bigger goals and view it as integral to furthering my understanding of the country and is defining my thinking. Due to this thought process I am dedicated to the research and do not treat it as a minor thing. Since I want to learn as much as possible about everything I am also open to taking on any project and am very open-minded to new ideas/perspectives. Finally I think my overall mind set makes me a good asset to the lab. If I really believe in what I am doing then I will do whatever is necessary to accomplish the goals of my work.

UT Austin’s engineering department has a strong national presence in energy science. The department's Energy Institute hosts a 15 week-long Energy Symposium with weekly, public seminars given by energy experts from around the country. However, this institution has deep historical ties to Texas’ oil and gas industry. See the following quote from their website “The University of Texas at Austin has long been renowned for research related to the state’s iconic oil and gas industry. Today, university researchers are pioneering innovative ways to produce energy from these traditional sources in an environmentally responsible manner, while also leading groundbreaking research into new technologies that cover the entire spectrum of energy.”

Solar Austin holds a happy hour once a month, which includes a presentation by a local professional working in solar or clean energy. Recent speakers include representatives of the Clean Energy Credit Union, the Austin SHINES project, and UT Austin’s Director of Sustainability. CleanTx has a monthly “power lunch” mixer, where you can meet with local clean-tech industry leaders and entrepreneurs for networking purposes. UT’s Webber Energy Group has “Clean Energy Beers” once a month, where local members of the community get together to discuss clean energy and energy transition in Austin. (Usually) Dr. Michael Webber and members of his team at UT Austin are there and available for conversation as well.

Austin Energy holds a Resource Planning Working Group every two years (or so), where a “representative sample” of the community come together to learn about Austin’s energy needs and resources, and to develop a plan for transitioning to lower-carbon fuels, but within the affordability rates set by the state.