Submitted by Mairi Elizabeth... on
This project investigates how changes in the marine aquaculture and fisheries sectors across the United States have occurred as a result of environmental change in estuaries. We’re analyzing nation-wide oral history archives to understand the drivers of environmental change and how environmental change has impacted 1) fisheries, from both an ecological and economic perspective, 2) maritime communities and culture, and 3) the transition to marine aquaculture across the United States.
Students will meet with the graduate student overseeing this project bi-weekly to discuss research updates and progress. The primary tasks undergraduates will be responsible for are thematic qualitative coding of data, but students may also be asked to analyze previously coded data, review archival collections to justify inclusion or exclusion in our database, read relevant articles and write a literature review, and build and analyze a database of relevant locations and policies based on the oral histories. Additional required activities include:
1) Complete the UC Berkeley required CITI training for Human Subjects Research (Group 2, Social and Behavioral Research Investigators).
2) Complete bi-weekly readings and reflections/reveiws as needed. Readings provide training in the theoretical framework behind the project.
If you have completed 2 semesters of undergraduate coursework in a college or university setting you are eligible to apply. Students are not required to have previous research experience, but should have an interest in qualitative and mixed-methods research. Competitive applicants will have completed at least 2 social science courses with a grad of B or higher, and will also have a general interest in any of the following topics, and be able to articulate why they are interested in this research opportunity in particular: Aquaculture, marine aquaculture, estuaries, food systems, fisheries, or cultural change at the community level.