Reflective Essay
My experiences with research at TRU have given me a good understanding of the research process and the methodology specific to my field. This was not all I gained from conducting research. My research made me more confident in my skills and in myself. I gained an appreciation for the importance of accessible knowledge mobilization, and learned how to communicate research concepts to a wide variety of audiences, both expert and non-academic. I have clearly defined research interests that are important to me and to the larger world. My research experiences have helped me to solidify the area that I want to pursue for a career. Conducting research at TRU was empowering, it gave me specific research skills and impacted me personally.
One of the most crucial skills I gained through my research at TRU was confidence. When I first began my research journey, research felt like something other people did, and not something I could do. I felt like I needed more credentials or journal publications before I could call myself a researcher. However, as I continued to conduct research and explore my research interests, I became more confident in my identity as a researcher. This researcher identity solidified through my UREAP project and directed studies courses, which allowed me to build upon a continuing theme throughout connected projects. I developed interests that I will pursue throughout my career. Showcasing my research at conferences like the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Meeting allowed me to connect with researchers beyond TRU; this helped to build up my research identity and increase my confidence in myself and my skills.
My work as a co-creator of the CURNcast emphasized the importance of accessible, nontraditional knowledge mobilization to me. CURNcast is a podcast that aims to dispel research myths and provide useful information for undergraduate students interested in research. It is hosted on the Canadian Undergraduate Research Network, an open access resource for undergraduate students interested in research. I worked as a host, ideator, and content creator, which allowed me to understand how important it is to be able to communicate information about research to students in ways that are understandable, interesting, and engaging. This experience developed my passion for mobilizing knowledge and emphasized the importance of open access resources in accessible knowledge mobilization.
Much of the research work that I have done is community engaged research. Through my work as a research assistant on the project You Are Here, I facilitated cultural mapping sessions with the general public, and explained the purpose of the research project to museum attendees who were not familiar with research. I learned how to explain the project and its importance in a way that was approachable, understandable, and clear. My work as a research ambassador built on this skill, as I gave a variety of presentations and delivered programming about research, my work, and the goals of the research office, to audiences with different levels of comfort with research and academia.
The most impactful research project I conducted was my interdisciplinary exploration of urban gardens. This project began with a UREAP project investigating urban gardens through both a qualitative and quantitative lens. I then continued this work in two directed studies courses (Biology and Geography), firstly exploring the connections between urban gardens and colonialism through art, and then conducting a qualitative analysis of interviews with gardeners. Completing this project has given me the tools to understand and engage with different ways of thinking about plants. I can now clearly articulate the importance of plants to human lives, and the impacts of plants in reshaping the trajectory of human ecology and culture. Understanding how plants matter is of pressing importance when considering the current environmental issues facing our world. I have built a strong foundation for postcolonial thought, and its relation to botany. This unique way of thinking will set me apart when beginning my career. I also gained experience using interdisciplinary, mixed methodology. My research focused on urban gardens, which are influenced by natural factors like climate and evolution, and human factors like gardener opinions and societal standards. Because my research focused on this unique intersection between nature and culture, I had to use both qualitative and quantitative methods, and techniques from both geography and biology, to progress towards a more holistic understanding of urban gardens. This process gave me a level of comfort and familiarity with conducting interdisciplinary research, which will be a useful skill to have moving forward. This is especially relevant as I am interested in environmental issues, which are interdisciplinary by nature.
My ultimate goal is to work in the field of plant humanities at a museum, botanical garden, or herbarium, where I could explore the stories of plants and educate others about their unique and complex lives. My research, and the work that I did has prepared me for this. If I had not conducted my research projects that explored plants qualitatively and quantitatively, and attempted to tell their stories using art, I would not be aware of this interest, and how much I enjoy it. Refining my interests as I progressed through a major research project has led me to pursue my interest in plants, their stories, and their connections with humans, as I begin my career.
Research at TRU was an empowering and transformative experience that I am incredibly grateful for. The hands-on and applied learning was inspiring. My research allowed me to see the value of my interests in both geography and biology, and create projects that were inspiring and engaging. My confidence and my communication abilities increased. It has challenged and changed my thinking, and provided me with many different opportunities for learning and growth. Engaging with and conducting research was an empowering and important part of my undergraduate degree.