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She writes about her honors research, which combines her majors in English and geology
For her honors thesis, Rachel Heron ’09 (Downingtown, Pa.) is exploring the portrayal of climate change, and humans’ role in climate change, in the popular media. A double major in English and geology, Heron is working under the guidance of Carolynn Van Dyke, March Professor of English. She presented her research at the Undergraduate Literature and Creative Writing Conference Feb. 16 at Susquehanna University. Her first-person account:
The main focus of my research is the documentary An Inconvenient Truth and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2007 Assessment Report, and the way the authors/creators of these texts portray climate change as a kind of folk tale, in which humans have to save a planet in distress. More importantly, I’m exploring the problems inherent in this portrayal and the ways that environmentalists could frame their work more effectively.
Thus far, working on my thesis has allowed me to participate in many intriguing conversations on and off Lafayette’s campus. Through weekly meetings with my thesis adviser, Dr. [Lynn] Van Dyke, I am expanding my thinking not only on my subject matter, but also on the way that any thoughtful project should be planned and executed. In addition to working with Professor Van Dyke, I am in frequent conversation with Alix Ohlin, assistant professor of English, and Kira Lawrence, assistant professor of geology and environmental geosciences, who round out my thesis committee. Both of these professors grapple with environmental issues in extremely different fields–creative writing and climate science respectively–and their perspectives constantly broaden my analysis.
Recently, I had the chance to discuss my thesis with other students and professors at Susquehanna University’s Undergraduate Literature and Creative Writing Conference, exploring “Environments of Imagination.” I presented my research and read excerpts from my work in a panel discussion on environmental discourse. The selection I read–which critiques the human-centered approach found in many climate change writings–sparked a larger discussion on how global warming rhetoric should change in the future. I know that the experience of presenting at this conference and the entire experience of putting together my thesis will aid me next year as I pursue my degree in environmental law.