In this episode of Confluence, hear from Rob Green, a master’s student in UM’s Environmental Studies Program. After getting an undergraduate degree in journalism, Rob worked as a wilderness guide in Central and South America – an experience that sparked his interest in conservation and photography. Hoping to contribute to deeper change in the field of conservation, Rob’s thesis work looks at a holistic approach to understanding human-predator relationships.

In this episode, we’re in the flow with Dr. Rachel Severson who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, the Director of the Experimental Psychology Doctoral Program, and the Director of the Minds Lab. Rachel reads an excerpt from Mary Oliver’s poem At the River Clarion, which launches our discussion of baseline shifting, her research on the attribution of minds to non-human agents, and being open to new paths in your life and research.

In this episode of Confluence, hear from Michelle Williams, a master’s student in the sociology department, about her interest in gender and inequality, her path to sociology, and her thesis about truck stop employees.

In this episode, hear from Rebekah Skoog, a doctoral student in the Department of Anthropology, on her passion for language learning and how it can increase cultural empathy.

In this episode, hear from John Stefanek, a Ph.D. student in UM’s History program. Stefanek discusses his current research, which revolves around Butte’s Model Cities Program, and his motivation to become a teacher.

In this episode, we’re in the flow with Dr. Christopher Preston, professor of philosophy. Christopher reads an excerpt from "Four Quartets", by T.S. Eliot about the power of rivers, which leads to our discussion of trends in environmental philosophy, his research on the “synthetic age,” and the importance of a philosophy dedicated to impact in the public sphere.

In this episode, hear from Eric Jensen, an MFA student studying painting. Jensen is a landscape painter with a passion for the natural world, an interest he cultivated while enjoying hobbies like mountaineering and rock climbing. A major theme in his work is accurately portraying the intersection between art and science. He hopes his work will encourage people to pay more attention to nature as a way to enrich their lives.

In this episode, hear from Suzanne Garcia Pino, an MFA candidate in the creative writing program. Pino discusses what led her to writing and what she hopes to accomplish with her craft. For her dissertation, Pino is using both fiction and nonfiction elements to weave a memoir about living in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2017.

In this episode, hear from Cierra Anderson—a master’s in economics candidate and law student—who works at the intersection of federal Indian law and economic development in Indian country.

In this episode, we're in the flow with Dr. John Quindry of the School of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training. John reads lyrics from "Blue Raft" by Common Children which sparks our conversation about John's work on Exercise and Cardiac Physiology and as his rapports with students.