ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Cate and I am a Communication Studies doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where I study environmental communication. My dissertation explores climate adaptation in the AndalucÃa wine region of southern Spain, but my larger research agenda examines media discourses of water scarcity. I believe that investigating environmental communication "gone wrong" can help us identify better strategies for preventative climate action, and that embracing diverse forms of knowledge may unlock new ideas for engaging publics in combatting the global climate crisis.
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In addition to research, I am also a passionate educator. Over the years, I have taught classes ranging from first-year public speaking to senior capstone seminars, and the recent COVID era provided me the opportunity to try teaching online (spoiler: I adore it!) I am an avid proponent of open-educational resources and universal design principles and attend pedagogical trainings and workshops whenever possible.
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The only thing I love more than research and teaching is service. I am currently a research team member for the Media and Climate Change Observatory (MeCCO) and a member of the United States Global Leadership Coalition's Minnesota State Advisory Council. I've also recently completed terms on the UMN Water Council and the International Environmental Communication Association (IECA) Board of Directors. At the community level, I have served on the Minnesota Public Radio Generation Listen Advisory Council and in 2020, I led a community engagement project for the City of Little Canada that gathered feedback for a master park plan. Nationally, I am a proud initiate of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, for which I have served terms on the Student Advisory Board and National Advisory Council.
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In my free time, I like to garden, cook, and take barre classes. I also enjoy listening to podcasts while walking on the trails near my house. I currently live in the Twin Cities with my partner and our cat, Sophie.