From ancient water infrastructure to modern marine science, our panel explores the ever-changing relationship between humans and water. Throughout our different projects, we explore how water can be viewed as a resource that shapes human settlement; a habitat for marine organisms such as rockweed, whales, and marine invertebrates and as a means for educational outreach. Across our projects, we explore how humans can interact with the presence of water around them, showcasing the many important aspects of water in conservation and sustainability for future ecosystems.

Moderator: Michelle Markley, Professor of Geology, Chair of Geology & Geography and Faculty Fellow for the Center for Intergroup Dialogue, 2024-2025

Engaging in the Natural World: Interning at Cape Ann Whale Watch
Miranda Hull ’25, Environmental Studies major, Coastal and Marine Science minor

Rockin’ With Rockweed
Eleanor Freed ’25, Geology major, Japanese studies minor

Boston Harbor Seawall Biological Monitoring
Hailey Simons ’25, Biology major, 5 College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate

Heritage That Hydrates: The Living Legacy of Kathmandu’s Hitis
Asmi Shrestha ’26, International Relations & South Asian Studies major, Development studies minor

Jamie Eldridge '25, Biology Major & Religion/Marine and Coastal Sciences 5CC