Hi! My name is Emily.

Hi, I am Emily, and I am a graduate student currently studying political science at the University of Toronto. Previously, I earned my B.A. in Political Science and Government and minor International Relations at the American University in Washington, D.C. back in 2019. My time at American University really piqued my interest in global comparative political studies, and I am hoping to continue utilizing my interest in the subject through my future career goals. I had the amazing privilege of spending my spring 2018 semester at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, where I made amazing friends, memories, and found my love for truly living in the South Pacific. I am now following up on my love the land and the people of Oceania by making it my regional focus for her graduate thesis, which is a study of climate change adaptation politics. While I am currently living in Toronto, I will always consider Pittsburgh, PA to be my true home.

In my free time, I enjoy exploring subjects outside of political science through reading, documentaries and conversations with friends and colleagues. I also have an undying love for the outdoors and in addition to my active lifestyle, this combo serves as a serious driving forces behind my career aspirations as well as my hobbies and interests. The more time I can spend outside, and making genuine connections with people, the better. Human rights and environmental protection are just a few of my favorite values that I tends to bring into my work as often as I can. I also spend a lot of time listening to music and I absolutely love to read books- especially classic novels, personal reflection stories and travel literature. My main hobbies include hiking, backpacking, photography, snorkeling and diving, art, cooking, playing my piano, and gardening.

Currently, at the University of Toronto, I am involved with not only the School of Political Science, but also the School of the Environment, as I am lucky to be receiving a collaborative specialization in Environmental Studies through my masters program. I am currently serving as a member of the executive board for the Graduate Environmental Student Association (GESA), which has allowed me to expand my network outside the realm of political science, and it has been such a fun learning opportunity as well! Currently, much of my studies at the University of Toronto concerns climate change, indigenous politics, and comparative political studies.

While at American University, I was active in a student-run organization, the AU Photo Collective, which I had the awesome opportunity to be a co-director of for the Fall 2017 semester. The organization is a growing student creativity outlet that also is a great learning experience for aspiring photographers, as well as a safe, creative and collaborate community for aspiring artists and hobbyists. This organization led me to becoming a dark room and photo lab assistant during my last year at the University, which was a really cool experience as someone who has been passionate about photography since a very young age.

Aside from the academics and independent research, I also love to try new things, gain new skills, and explore the world around me in whatever ways I can. Currently, you can likely find me hunkered down and studying hard in a library or cafe in Toronto, and working part time, engaging with the budding community at my local Orangetheory Fitness studio where I am currently entering my 3rd year as an employee of the company.