Researcher(s):
Rebecca Robbins
ENVS course(s): Initiated: January 2015 Completed: May 2015 Go to project site
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This is a project proposal for the $2,500 Mellon research grant. I am a junior, environmental studies major with a concentration in pastoralist communities and their relation to technology. I have completed the environmental studies core courses through 330. By the time I will be doing this research, I will have completed two of my concentration requirements: social permaculture (SOAN 306) and indigenous peoples (SOAN 349). My research will take place in New South Wales, Australia and Victoria, Australia. I will be studying abroad spring, 2015 in Australia from January 10th to April 16th but I intend on staying in Australia until the end of May, 2015. I have chosen this topic because it works well with my concentration and I would like to include it in my environmental studies thesis.
I will be studying biophilia, solastaligia and topophilia in Australia. I will be asking the Torres Strait Islanders and the Upper Hunters a series of questions (the individuals from these regions are who I am referring to as Aboriginals). What does it mean to be an Aboriginal, what does it really mean to be an Aboriginal, and what does it ultimately mean to be an Aboriginal? I will then ask them to describe or draw what "home" means to them and how is/isn't "land" important in their lives? I will also ask if they feel particularly connected to a specific place and why. From there, I will ask them about what makes them happy, sad, angry, and worried? I will then ask scenario questions; for instance, if a major drought were to occur, how would that make you feel and how would you adapt? From here I will be able to compare my biophilia group to solastaliga and see if there are similar. Please refer to the link to my project page for a complete overview of what I will be researching. Ultimately, I will ask them how should land be treated and how that correlates with their emotions.