Invasion of the Sea
INSPIRATION
I conducted a research paper examining the impacts of mangrove deforestation, upriver damming, and groundwater extraction on the geomorphology of the Laem Fa Pha coastline (Bangkok, Thailand) (see full work here) - I turned this into an infographic using my experience in design.
MISSION
To improve youth accessibility to novel scholarly research relating to climate science and sustainability, by condensing important findings into digestible, engaging visuals that can be easily propagated within the online community
To break the barrier between experienced researchers and students who are willing to pursue research of their own, and provide an user-friendly interface for meaningful interaction between both parties
To create a platform where individuals can showcase their fieldwork in a variety of disciplines of interest, and where its value is recognized
To familiarize students with the conventions and methodologies of geographical fieldwork
PRELIMINARY VISION
A website where users around the world can post infographics relating to or summarizing their research in any topic of concern, with the link to the original publication(s) being embedded beside it.
Our job would be to facilitate this process of visual translation: graphic designers will communicate with the user to produce the infographics
These visuals can then be shared on social media, or used for academic purposes.
OOPPORTUNITIES
Will allow individuals to exercise creative skills in graphic design, through the process of condensing complex scientific jargon into cohesive visual material without losing or altering the essence of the authors’ original interpretations - is it ethical to showcase research that is not peer-reviewed?
Through the process of this conversion, students have access to a diversity of research topics and become actively involved in the dissemination of new knowledge - what infrastructure can be set up to monitor the quality of these conversions? What would the feedback process look like?
Those who are looking for funding for further research, or funding to begin research, may use the website as a means to propose their ideas to others in the community; almost like a visual elevator pitch
HIGHLY INTERACTIVE: Other users can then either comment on the post, or contact them directly to collaborate, or critique their proposal
Emphasis on the exchange of thoughts and ideas
Maia Rankine-Griffith (she/her)
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Having grown up in Thailand, Maia Rankine-Griffith has witnessed the beauty and resilience of our natural world. Merging her passion for visual art and design with her interest in physical geography, she aims to foster youth engagement with emerging scholarly conversations in climate science.
Email: maiarankine@gmail.com
