51社区黑料

This is the impact story of Morgan Krakow, an MA student who joined the 312 Main Research Shop to explore how environmental research and the arts can drive change. She co-led a climate-focused audience survey with and co-authored a report on media coverage of the 2024 B.C. election. With strong mentorship and hands-on experience, Morgan gained skills in research, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

For MA student Morgan Krakow, joining the 312 Main Research Shop was a chance to get into real-world, cross-disciplinary research that spanned both environmental policy and the performing arts. 鈥淚 entered into a variety of interesting worlds during my time at 312 Main Research Shop ,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淚 learned (with strong data behind it!) the power of theatre, and I鈥檒l continue to be intrigued by how academic and artistic work can drive change when combined.鈥�

Morgan worked on two standout projects: a collaborative audience survey for , a climate-focused performance developed with Neworld Theatre, and the co-authorship of a timely media analysis report titled Covering Climate Elections: Lessons From British Columbia鈥檚 2024 Election and Beyond, published with 312 Main Research Shop Manager Dr. Tara Mahoney. 鈥�We worked closely with Neworld to develop a strong survey that met both our needs (as researchers) and theirs (as community partners),鈥� she explained.

The Covering Climate Elections report assessed how climate issues were represented in media coverage during the 2024 B.C. Provincial Election鈥攗ltimately revealing that major broadcast outlets largely overlooked the climate crisis, despite extensive reporting on platforms, candidates, and polls. 鈥淓lections shape the future of climate policy,鈥� Morgan emphasized, 鈥渁nd yet we found that climate was often missing from the conversation.鈥�

Throughout, she was supported by supervisors Dr. Tara Mahoney and Sean Holman, who provided both mentorship and logistical help, including during her research trip to Victoria. 鈥淭hey were incredibly helpful and encouraging,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淚 felt like a valued part of the team.鈥�

What she appreciated most was the professional respect given to RAs: 鈥淲e were treated like professionals and able to conduct impactful research in short timeframes with really interesting outcomes.鈥�

The community aspect stood out, too. 鈥淚 really enjoyed the fellowship with the other RAs鈥攊t created a wonderful environment to grow in,鈥� she shared. 鈥淗onestly, I would鈥檝e loved more social time outside of meetings, like a bakery morning or happy hour.鈥�

Having previously worked in newsrooms, Morgan didn鈥檛 expect the level of autonomy she was given. 鈥淚t was a nice shift to feel real ownership over my work,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just learned so much鈥攁bout project management, community engagement, even spreadsheets鈥攁nd it all felt deeply relevant.鈥�