EH Blog

Desiree Beaudry recounts her nontraditional path to the Environmental Humanities Program that prompted a life dedicated to environmental advocacy, bird watching, and conservation.

Chris Peterson, a Utah artist, shifted from fine art to community-focused muralism, drawing inspiration from environmental experiences to create art that celebrates local wildlife and sparks positive change.

Ruedigar Matthes works for the Division of Community & Neighborhoods for Salt Lake City. He recently launched SLC Housing 4 All, a coalition dedicated to ensuring housing is affordable, accessible, sustainable, and community-centered.

Laura earned her M.S in Environmental Humanities in 2019. As a master’s student, Laura focused on reformation of youth environmental education, aiming to make it more inclusive to underserved populations as well as to those who don’t typically think of themselves as interested in or capable of participating in science through the inclusion of place-based interdisciplinary content. Laura currently works as the Associate Director for Initiative to Bring Science Programs to the Incarcerated (INSPIRE) and STEM Community Alliance Program (STEMCAP) for Youth-in-Care. These two programs bring local scientists to adult and juvenile incarcerated populations, respectively, to provide informal science education. Laura was drawn to these programs by their effort to engage underserved populations while expanding participants’ perception of science through interdisciplinary work and in-person contact with local scientists.

Ross Chambless graduated from the Environmental Humanities Program in 2011. He is a writer, creative producer, and communications strategist. He is currently Communications and Community Engagement Manager for the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah. Previously he was Communications Director for the Democrats in the Utah House of Representatives, and a radio and podcast producer. Before receiving his MA in Environmental Humanities, Ross received his Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001.