Sara Kross

Study design/ thesis overview; grant application processes; meeting etiquette. How to navigate the academic research world.

Different complexities regarding conservation policy. The stakeholders involved in conservation policy. How action related to conservation policy takes place

This class helped me organize my path towards my thesis project. It was helpful to learn about Columbia-specific services and the Master's project specifics.

We learned about policy pertaining to conservation all the way from local to international laws amendments and agreements

I feel that I improved my scientific reading and writing skills. I learned a lot about what it takes to research for and organize a project and I was able to develop my thesis project.

We learned about policies regarding species conservation and the environment.

how to formulate thesis review and project

I learned about the different acts and treaties governing wildlife trade and protection both domestically and internationally. I also learned about a number of case studies that illustrate the potentially fraught relationship between humans and the natural world. Additionally we got to learn about the different groups doing work to advocate for wildlife and humans adversely affected by all sorts of potential hazards and industries. We also had a number of guest speakers who provided important insight into the actual working of policy from their selected fields

I learned how to research and synthesize literature with writing/outlining a literature review. I learned how to go about the logistic side of developing a thesis (how to write an agenda, how to talk to collaborators, how to make a good presentation, etc.).

I learned about environmental and conservation-related policy both in the US and domestically, and the kind of considerations, both scientific and otherwise, that policymakers consider.