The following research interns have taken part in RIAS projects as part of their university programs:
2024
Maria Schild (University College Roosevelt)
“My main role is to invite environmental historians and authors to speak about themes and issues surrounding ‘blue history’ who have embraced a similar analytical perspective in their works. I am in charge of interviewing these people and creating a podcast that will be easily accessible on our website. These fit in my study area because I am doing a major in History and plan on doing a minor in environmental sciences. I would love to someday do a PhD in naval history.”
Alex Nagel (Utrecht University)
“My role is developing the “Re/Views” section of our project website: building connections between blue history and wider historical scholarship by interviewing authors about their work, asking them how it would change if they placed water at its center. My own work focuses on bridging the gaps between labor and environmental history, looking at how working-class people have idealized, utilized, and defended nature (in and outside the workplace) as a part of their work, in the history of North America.”
Nur Rahmi Nailah (Radboud University Nijmegen)
“My primary role in the Blue History project is to develop a comprehensive bibliography on Blue History as a field of study, which will be featured on the Blue History website. This aligns well with my research interests, as I specialize in Literary Studies with a focus on Indigenous literature, particularly in relation to environmental justice and ecocriticism.”
Auke van Meer (Radboud University Nijmegen)
“I am currently researching the use of public opinion polling by the 1964 LBJ Presidential Campaign. The final output goal is to produce a research paper. Aside from my own research project, I try to assist Gaetano and the RIAS where I can in the organization of academic events, specifically the NASA conference and PhD seminar. This fits within the international research training of my Research Master study program, which aims to broaden the student’s perspectives on and experience with research in an international context beyond the university where the program is conducted.”
Maria Budkiewicz (University College Roosevelt)
“During my internship at the RIAS, I had the unique opportunity to delve into the revolutionary blue history perspective. I took on the challenge of fully designing and managing the blue history website, while also conducting in-depth secondary research for the news & events and sources sections. I analyzed academic journals, databases, blogs, and other resources to pioneer the blue history project. As I move forward, I’m excited to apply both my web design expertise and the critical lens of blue history in my future research.”
Hilla Kauppinen (University College Roosevelt)
“My main responsibility is to create two databases in the realm of Blue History. One includes traditional resources, such as books, journals, and archives, while the other is a collection of vacancies, events, and other relevant current information. In addition to this, I am writing a research paper on environmental justice perspectives on the U.S. Clean Water Act as a part of my internship. Environmental Law and Policy perspectives fit into my studies well, as I am majoring in Law and Political Sciences. Environmental justice and Religion are additional fields that I have focused on during my studies. After completing my Bachelor’s, I will be attending law school.”
2023
Amedeo Gasparini (Utrecht University)
Alessia Aresi (University College Roosevelt)
Emilia Köhn (University College Roosevelt)
