Blog Contributor: Madelaine Legault
Kinza Qureshi is a first year student in the thesis pathway of the Master of Sustainability program at Brock University. She is working under the supervision of Dr. Marilyne Carrey and her research interests are in community resilience to climate change through nature-based solutions, sustainable development, and planning. She recently spoke to PhD in Sustainability Science student and graduate ambassador Madelaine Legault about her experience in her first term of the SSAS program.
What inspired you to pursue graduate studies in environmental sustainability?
I decided to go into the field of environmental sciences for my undergrad, because in my country, I had seen a lot of issues regarding the environment, like flooding. There were not manyagencies in my country focused on the environment. There were a few that were working, but they were not getting the funding for that, so I decided to choose this pathway to help my people and to learn. I was studying environmental sciences broadly, and now I’m narrowing down to sustainability, because that’s the future.
How would you describe your typical day in the program?
Lately, I have been super busy with assignments, coursework, and TA work, so my days are honestly packed. I am also starting to work on planning my thesis with my supervisor. Right now, we are working on a topic. My focus is on the climate crisis and the communities that are directly affected by it. I want to build an empathy element by understanding their experiences, and I’musing geospatial data, remote sensing, and augmented reality to collect and present the impacts.
How do you think your research will contribute to sustainability science?
I had not previously considered the part that empathy plays in sustainability science. But now I realize that if we look at empathy and the way people have emotional connections with the subject, it could be an opportunity to engage with large audiences to let them know what the future would look like if we were all on the same page. It can shift people’s thinking towards sustainability and to work for the environment. Whenever we want to change something, we as a person need to change ourselves. And one thing that we all need to change is our empathy for nature and for the next generation. We are the last generation that has a chance to think about the future. We have to think about it. So, I think that empathy element in my research would look at the psychological connections to nature. And it could help bring a change in how we think of our future.
What program experiences have had the most impact on you?
Oh, I would say the field trips and like the “talking tree” project we are working on right now in SSAS 5V82 have really opened my mind. In my undergrad, I always wanted some practical experience, rather than just theory. So, these are opportunities for a different kind of learning rather than just pure theory. It’s a lesson that always stays in your mind. Like the tunnel tour we did, you can see that there’s a whole system underground that you didn’t know about before.
How has the program faculty and your peer group supported your academic journey?
My supervisor, Dr. Marilyne Carrey, has helped me a lot. She always encourages me to go to conferences and seminars, and she shares different opportunities inside and outside the university. She sees me and listens to what I want for my research. That’s really helped me because I’m from a different background, I have a different language, and I have to think before I speak. So, it’s really difficult for me, but she helps. Other than that, I would say my classmates are so friendly and help me whenever I need help. I just go and ask someone, and they’re always there to help.
How do you stay motivated when facing or when thinking about these complex and often very overwhelming crises?
One thing that motivates me is the idea that what I am facing today, I don’t want my future people to face. I have a connection with them. I don’t want my child to grow up in a world where they have no clean air to breathe, where they have issues like flooding and climate crisis or food insecurity issues. I think of future generations.
What advice would you give to someone considering graduate studies in sustainability science?
Oh, I always tell people to join this field because it’s growing and it’s the future. There are doctors that specialize in human beings, and people specialized in engineering, but students of the environment specialize in both nature and humans. I think this is an opportunity that is growing, and I would suggest that people come and explore. They would love this field!
