UWI Geography Postgraduate Society

If you don’t just check the weather, but you wonder why the wind blows, you might be a geoscientist. If thunderstorms don't scare you – they spark your curiosity, you might be a geoscientist. Join us with to celebrate the Geosciences in conjunction with Earth Day! Are you a geoscientist? Tell us why!

A great read on the important contributions to environmental literature. Establishing the legacy of Abbey, Carson and Leopold.

THIS LAND — ABBEY, CARSON, AND LEOPOLD A guide to the works of Edward Abbey, Rachel Carson, and Aldo Leopoldby Douglas James Joyce

This week's Person of Interest is none other than Christopher Alexis. Read his full "People of Geography" (POG) interview below where he talks about his passion for research on the nesting behaviour at Department of Geography, UWI St. Augustine Faculty of Food and Agriculture UWI STA University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad

1. (POG) What is your research area and topic?
(CHRIS) My research area is . Topic - investigating leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coreacia) nesting behaviour at Grande Riviere beach.

2. (POG) How did you come to select this research area and topic?
(CHRIS) I love animals and I want to give back to my country by contributing to coastal zone management. After discussions with my peers and colleagues I realized Grande Riviere offered me the best of both worlds.

3. (POG) Why did you choose to do a research postgraduate degree in Geography?
(CHRIS) I chose to pursue studies in the Geography department because of the international expertise of the supervisory staff and the friendly community of postgrads. In addition, there is a genuine family atmosphere within the department.

4. (POG) What is the most valuable lesson your thesis supervisor has taught you?
(CHRIS) My supervisor taught me not to be afraid of anything, if I am to effect change.

5. (POG) What is your most memorable experience while conducting field work?
(CHRIS) Most memorable experience to date - while conducting a beach survey rain poured for hours. I took refuge with a family that set up camp at the fishing depot for the weekend. While waiting for the rains to pass, we cooked, ate duck, made chow, drank beers, played all fours. I still keep in contact with that family - I made a few good friends that day.

6. (POG) As far as your research, what would you like to be remembered for?
(CHRIS) I would like to be remembered for contributing to the proper long-term management of a beach of international importance and by extension the future generations of leatherbacks at Grande Riviere beach.

7. (POG) What advice would you give your younger self concerning your research?
(CHRIS) Communicate regularly with your mentor. Ask for help - from peers and colleagues. Write and communicate more with all audiences.

8. (POG) What advice would you give to an undergrad who is considering a postgrad research degree with the department of geography?
(CHRIS) I would say - Do it. Within the department there is a wide range from Human to Physical Geography. The support received as a student is tremendous. The standards are high and you learn more about yourself as your development progresses. You will also enjoy the family atmosphere found behind each door. With that said...Welcome to the Department of Geography! :)

This week we shine proudly the (POG) spotlight on Nicola Maurisa Suarez Mathura ! Read Nicola's full interview below. Department of Geography, UWI St. Augustine Faculty of Food and Agriculture UWI STA University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad

1. (POG) What is your research area and topic?
(NICOLA) My research area is Hydrology. My research topic focuses mainly on the impact of land use in the Maracas St.Joseph watershed through analysis of isotopic and geochemical tracing techniques.

2. (POG) How did you come to select this research area and topic?
(NICOLA) When I did my undergraduate degree, I did a course called Hydrology which is taught by Dr. Kegan Farrick and I was really intrigued by the topics and theories that were taught in the course so I decided to speak to him about possible project options within the Hydrology field. No other course intrigued me as much as this course did. So after a few meetings with him, we came up with project ideas and that’s how I decided on this particular project.

3. (POG) Why did you choose to do a research postgraduate degree in Geography?
(NICOLA) was always passionate about Geography more so the physical aspect of Geography since form three in high school but choosing to do a research postgraduate degree in Geography was a decision that took me whole of final year to decide on. It was like a push and pull but speaking to other postgraduates in the department as well as lecturers helped me to figure out whether I really wanted to go a step further with Geography. I really had to question myself on my work ability before I made the final decision to move forward.

4. (POG) As far as your research, what would you like to be remembered for?
(NICOLA) I would like to be remembered for contributing to scientific data that can be used as evidence to show that our poor land use practices does have some impact to the natural environment (watersheds) that we inhabit. Watersheds are really important and I feel that people should be educated on it and know that the quality and quantity of storm-water during rainfall events is affected by all the alterations to the land-mining, agriculture, roadways, urban development, and the activities of people within a watershed and we should aim to preserve our environment in sustainable ways.

5. (POG) What are your hopes the future with respect to your research and other academic achievements?
(NICOLA) I would love to continue doing research in the Hydrology field and keep my passion for it. Once I get through my MPhil in Geography then will I decide if I would like to do a PhD abroad.

We kick off 2018 People of Geography (POG) Freshman Edition with an interview from newly enrolled member Meera Mahase ! Read Meera's full interview below where she outlines her hopes for the future as it relates to her on the subject of . Department of Geography, UWI St. Augustine Faculty of Food and Agriculture UWI STA University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad

1. POG: What is your research area and topic?
MEERA:My research falls in the area of food geography, particularly household food security. In this I am trying to determine the causes and measure the level of rural household food insecurity in a particular region in Trinidad.

2. POG: How did you come to select this research area and topic?
MEERA: When I came into postgrad I was unsure as to what area I wanted to specialize in. Honestly, it was difficult to figure out what I was passionate about. This was until my supervisor gave me the opportunity to coordinate the Geography Departments’ World Food Day preparations for the faculty. From there I began to develop an interest in food security. In addition, the selection of my topic also stem from the fact that I live in a rural community and I wanted my research to make a difference in rural communities. So this is how I decided to merge food security with the rural environment.

3.POG: Why did you choose to do a research postgraduate degree in Geography?
MEERA: For me, deciding to do a postgraduate degree on a whole had a lot of questions and doubts. I have not fully answered all yet but, what I learned is that sometimes you just need to take a chance and along the experience you begin to figure things out. I choose to pursue my postgraduate degree in Geography because of how expansive it is. Geography has a place for almost any discipline. Also, I always enjoyed studying this area since secondary school.

4. POG: As far as your research, what would you like to be remembered for?
MEERA: I would like to be remembered for my contribution to understanding food security in rural communities and by extension the Caribbean. Also, I would like to be known for my input in expanding the literature on food geography.

5. POG: What are your hopes the future with respect to your research and other academic achievements?
MEERA: I hope to successfully complete my MPhil. and produce several publications along the way. Also, I want to continue my research in food security at a PhD level. My long term goal is to get involved in policy development and putting them into action which I think is most important.

Please see info below on exhibition being hosted tomorrow at the UWI-SRC. Dr. Kywnn Johnson is a Haitian studies scholar who has found a unique way of combining science with the arts and her piece offers many insights into Haitian culture and a sense of place.

The exhibition begins at 10am with a small panel discussion between Dr Johnson and our scientists (this will be broadcast live on Facebook) and it remains open to the public until 1pm. Feel free to come and interact with our staff and Dr Johnson.

www.facebook.com/uwiseismic

We end our 2017 "People of Geography" (POG) series with LeeVun A R Solomon as this week's 'Person of Interest'. Read his interview below as he shares his passion for homelessness research. Department of Geography, UWI St. Augustine Faculty of Food and Agriculture UWI STA University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad

1.(POG) What is your research area and topic?
(LEEVUN) My research looks at the impacts of homeless experiences on social psychological well-being and its combined influence on perceptions of reintegration. To achieve this, I engage with the psychoanalytic literature within geography as a praxis devoted to an understanding of individual and society as concepts played out in an urban space, specifically downtown Port-of-Spain.

2. (POG) How did you come to select this research area and topic?
(LEEVUN) My interest in homelessness and the lived realities of homeless people came about during my period as an undergraduate student. Often sighting homeless men and women sleeping peacefully in public spaces, I became intrigued by their liberal appearance and seemingly carefree lifestyle. My interest peaked when I had the opportunity to facilitate several focus group sessions with homeless clients of the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons and the Living Water Caring Centre. Through this experience I developed a greater appreciation for their marginalised status in our society.

3.(POG) Why did you choose to do a research postgraduate degree in Geography?
(LEEVUN) I would say geography chose me by way of my thesis supervisor, Dr. Priya Kissoon who is also a homelessness researcher. She got a hold of a copy of a project I did on the self-concept of homeless people and their motivation to access services and we arranged a meeting where she offered to supervise my research.

4. (POG) What is the most valuable lesson your thesis supervisor has taught you?
(LEEVUN) I don’t think it was a deliberate lesson, nevertheless it has been etched in the forefront of my mind as a permanent instruction. She cautioned, when interacting with highly stigmatised people such as the homeless, as a researcher during field interviews you have the power in that time and moment to provoke thought that can either be encouraging or discouraging. Therefore, while pursuing data, it is very important that I remain mindful as I can either leave someone feeling less about themselves, or empowered.

5. (POG) What is your most memorable experience while conducting field work?
(LEEVUN) My most memorable field experience was when one of my participants was sharing with me the details of his teenage years which seemed to run almost identical to mine. More interestingly, at the same ages we shared very similar life-course experiences. That interview left me pondering for several days on how easy it might have been for me to become homeless. I can never forget his story, because in some small way, I lived it.

6. (POG) As far as your research, what would you like to be remembered for?
(LEEVUN) Besides contributing to the scholarly literature on the impacts of urban homelessness on psychosocial well-being in the Global South, I want to be remembered for being an intellectual voice for the socially disadvantaged in our society. Every homeless person has a story, and through my research I want to be able to share as many of those stories as possible.

7. (POG) What advice would you give your younger self concerning your research?
(LEEVUN) From the moment you receive that acceptance letter, start reading! Getting a firm grip on the existing literature is vital to your existence as a postgrad research student. I would have also audited a few analysis software and inferential statistics courses.

8. (POG) What advice would you give to an undergrad who is considering a postgrad research degree with the department of geography?
(LEEVUN) Independent postgrad research is easy! However, make sure that the topic you decide on is one that you are passionate about and have no issue spending the rest of your career developing and exploring it in many different ways without ever getting bored.

Photo: Leevun facilitating a focus group session with clients of the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons, circa 2013.

Give your curiosity some creative constraints:

This week we continue our "People of Geography" (POG) series with none other than Sayyida Ali as our 'Person of Interest'! See below for her full interview with us! Department of Geography, UWI St. Augustine Faculty of Food and Agriculture UWI STA

1. (POG) What is your research area and topic?
(SAYYIDA) My research is on the intersections between the terrestrial and marine influences at the coast, particularly the implications for future management of ecologically sensitive areas coupled with considering the sustainability of the dependent rural livelihoods. My topic is an ecosystem services approach to sustainable management of an ecologically sensitive area: the case of Grande Riviere, Trinidad.

2. (POG) How did you come to select this research area and topic?
(SAYYIDA) From my undergraduate experience in geography, I discovered that I was most interested in coastal research. I not only had a love for the beach but I was good at it and understanding the interactions in the coastal environment. My undergraduate final year research project gave me the experience in conducting fieldwork in beach morphodynamics and I knew I wanted to do much more than this at the postgraduate level.

3. (POG) Why did you choose to do a research postgraduate degree in Geography?
(SAYYIDA) Choosing to do a research postgraduate degree in Geography was a decision I took quite a while to confirm as it is riddled with many unknowns. How long will it take, how hard it will be, do I have what it takes, will this even be better for my career. At this point I made an effort to discuss the experiences of others who have taken this path and I came to understand that these were all questions that can only be decided by me and is dependent on my level of focus and dedication. I knew I wanted to specialize after undergrad and this was the next natural step.

4. (POG) What is the most valuable lesson your thesis supervisor has taught you?
(SAYYIDA) That it is normal to feel like you are stuck and losing progress sometimes about your work. In times like these I definitely need to discuss what is problematic with any of my supervisors, and I’ll find that I know the answers myself! I’ve learned I have ownership of this topic entirely and that has built my confidence that I can work through any of the challenges I will be faced with.

5. (POG) What is your most memorable experience while conducting fieldwork?
(SAYYIDA) I took a couple of friends up to Grande Riviere for a night last year (2016) which we spent entirely on the beach. It was an amazing experience to walk up and down the stretch of coastline at night when there are so many turtles in such close proximity to you and just their size and the sight of so many emerging from the water. There was additional excitement to find a green and hawksbill turtle coming up to nest as sight of these from nighttime patrols are rare.

6. (POG) As far as your research, what would you like to be remembered for?
(SAYYIDA) There is a great need now for science to inform policy. As my work is bridging this gap I hope to be remembered for my work with this within my research area.

7. (POG) What advice would you give your younger self, concerning your research?
(SAYYIDA) Be persistent. No challenge is insurmountable. The biggest battle is with yourself.

8. (POG) What advice would you give to an undergrad who is considering a postgrad research degree with the department of geography?
(SAYYIDA) Once you are confident in the ability of your supervisor to provide effective guidance, just do it. The amount of growth, personal and intellectual you will do for the duration of this programme is priceless.

Photo: Sayyida at Grande Riviere.

Thinking of Going Abroad For Postgraduate Study? Some Things to Bear in Mind | FindAPhD.com Moving abroad for postgraduate study can seem like a no-brainer. But it’s not always so easy to decide where exactly to study abroad.

This week we add Doreen Jodhan to our 'Person of Interest' list! Read her exciting interview below as we continue our "People of Geography" weekly series, ENJOY! Department of Geography, UWI St. Augustine Faculty of Food and Agriculture UWI STA

1. (POG) What is your research area and topic?
(DOREEN) My research is situated in Human Geography and looks at the sources of everyday nature experiences that influence children’s perceptions of and meanings placed on nature.

2. (POG) How did you come to select this research area and topic?
(DOREEN) I have a conservation background and there speculation that children spend less time outdoors and the concern is that this will affect their ability to develop attitudes of care and protection for nature. I am interested in how feelings of care and protection develop in the first place and how different types of experiences like spending time in nature or watching nature shows might affect this process.

3. (POG) Why did you choose to do a research postgraduate degree in Geography?
(DOREEN) I believe Human Geography is the interface between the physical and social Sciences. Many of the solutions to our environmental problems lie in this domain and Human Geography is well positioned to play a critical role in solving these problems. For example, place attachment and sense of place theories seek to understand how people develop an attachment to place. My study uses these theories to build a framework of understanding on how children development an attachment to natural places.

4. (POG) What is the most valuable lesson your thesis supervisor has taught you?
(DOREEN) Do you have writing block? Start with 3 or 4 take-home points in the section and write about 250 words developing each point.

5. (POG) What is your most memorable experience while conducting fieldwork?
(DOREEN) I work with 8 yr olds so there are many but mostly my learning moments like what asking children “why” can reveal. The children blew me away with their conservation solutions like people should build smaller houses and plant more trees. They were also candid and funny with one child telling me if he caught the caiman in the river he would take it to an undisclosed restaurant.

6. (POG) What advice would you give your younger self, concerning your research?
(DOREEN) Don’t dooo iiiiittt!! Seriously though, I have a Natural Science background and my research is multi-disciplinary. If I could do it all over, I would take some time before I signed up to do relevant courses in the various disciplines.

7. (POG) What advice would you give to an undergrad who is considering a postgrad research degree with the department of geography?
(DOREEN) Don’t rush into it. Take some time to research a bit within Geography but also related fields and talk to staff and students both here and abroad. Go for it and Enjoy!!

The academic community has a duty to ensure that research evidence is brought to bear on legislation to keep our democracies healthy.

Wanted: academics wise to the needs of government