Thoughts on final year in grad school

Hello folks! Hope y’all enjoying the beautiful summer it is! Recently had an a-mazing trip to Gros Morne with my husband, did invigorating hikes, relished the scenic landscapes and got seriously badly tanned! Haha, but a tan is proof you really made the best of the summer! That’s the fun part of life! But on … [Read more…]

A COVID Summer

As we go into month-who-knows-any-more of this pandemic, it’s pretty clear things have changed. From a research point of view, myself and many of my colleagues do have limited access to campus throughout the week, so hands on work can start again (much to our relief). Earlier in the summer I took the opportunity to … [Read more…]

Using the pandemic to make positive changes in academia

I recently listened to a podcast episode about some of the surprising impacts the 1918 influenza had on events of the 20th century. You can listen to that episode at https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/dispatches-1918. In short, by infecting some influential people, the podcasters argue that the flu changed the course of art, politics, and even the second world … [Read more…]

The stars – can’t be cancelled due to Covid-19

Image Credit: Will Mallot on Unsplash Though my soul is set in darkness, I will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. – Sarah Williams, The Old Astronomer to His Pupil Greetings earthlings existing in this timeline, I am a wildlife biologist but I have … [Read more…]

Making your research accessible through effective communication

A Leach’s Storm-Petrel: the most common breeding seabird in Newfoundland and the inspiration for my newfound love of science communication. Recently, I was interviewed for CBC Radio Canada about my ongoing MSc research. I did not know what would come of it, but the article has attracted some attention and brought my research into the … [Read more…]

Stressed? Try Taking a Staycation

It has been a rough year: 2020 seems as though it will never come to an end. Luckily for us, escape is but a quick car ride away in Newfoundland. Whether you want to or not, everyone grows to love “The Rock” (a.k.a. Newfounland) over time. Perhaps it is the inescapable beauty of living in … [Read more…]

Adapting to the world of virtual conferences

When the first conference I was registered to participate in this year decided to go “virtual”, my head started spinning. “GOING VIRTUAL? You just sit all day and keep watching videos? What about the networking? Is it going to exist? If so, will people WANT to network and engage in this different format?” I have … [Read more…]

Thinking differently: My Spring of Opportunity

Honestly, I was anxious when I first discovered that the library would remain closed for the year with limited access to computer labs. However, to my surprise, a Spring as unique as this has brought about a cocktail of emotions. The transition from failing miserably to making each day count has been one of a … [Read more…]

Realizations during the Pandemic.

Cheers! We are now at Level 2, that just means a step away to our old-gold COVID free world! I often ponder how much this Pandemic has affected us, how much it has taught us and how much there is that we have known of ourselves and of our lives whilst continuing to battle a … [Read more…]

Research in a time of Change?

Normally, this time of year, my team and I would be working hard to finish the analysis artifacts unearthed last summer. Our conversations would alternate between what still needs to be packed and what we are most looking forward to on the field this year. In a month’s time we would be methodically unearthing centuries … [Read more…]