Mentor Areas
My research concerns the cultural aspects of climate adaptation in coastal regions, especially the Netherlands, Germany, Indonesia, and the US. Coastal cities which are inadequately prepared for accelerated sea level rise. Many cultural taboos and other forms of resistance and denial prevent governments and citizens from making tough decisions and taking the steps needed to adapt. By using animated video inflected with a good-natured, humorous approach, my team is able to influence the public conversation. Our current focus is on the Netherlands, but the videos are of interest to anyone living in low-lying areas along the coast.
Description:
This is an ongoing project that involves communicating controversial but necessary perspectives on the effects of accelerated sea level rise to policy makers and general public in the Netherlands using short animated videos. Student researchers are involved in the entire process: focused research on Dutch climate adaptation and water management systems; creating research-based animated videos (brainstorming, storyboarding, collecting feedback from Dutch experts, optimizing exposure on social media, tracking impact). In the next phase of this project, we plan to focus on the islands of the Dutch Caribbean. For examples of our work, see our YouTube channel. Co-director of this project, known as the Penn Animation as Research Lab, is Joshua Mosley, professor in the Fine Arts Department.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with creating animated video, interest in climate communication, basic visual arts background. Be prepared to share a portfolio of creative work.
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. Penn Animation as Research Lab
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.