Another semester has concluded and with it came a new batch of graduates beaming with excitement for their accomplishments and eagerness for life’s next steps. Across seven areas within Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, the department celebrated 145 graduates on Friday, Dec. 15th. For all information on the 2023 Commencement Celebrations, visit the University’s Commencement website.
In this series, we featured one student from each of the seven areas of HDNR. Next is Julia Branstrator, a Doctorate in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources PhD program. Branstrator, of West Lafayette, Indiana, came to Colorado State University after completing her undergraduate studies at Purdue University. Arriving in the midst of COVID-19, Branstrator incorporated the global pandemic into research by forming her dissertation on how the town and community of Nederland, Colo., maneuvered through the tough times considering their reliance on a tourism-based economy. Branstrator also published the article, “A Critical Biocultural Identity Framework”, with HDNR professor Dr. Christina Cavaliere, which examined the coastal community of Ketchikan, Alaska in regards to overtourism and more. Luckily for HDNR, Julia is not going far or anywhere, yet. She will be instructing classes in HDNR’s Master of Tourism Management program next semester.
Q&A with Julia:
What are you most excited about with your future career?
“My experience within HDNR and
Dr. Cavaliere’s Tourism and Conservation Lab reformed how I think, approach human dimensions of our surrounding environments, and imagine our shared futures. I am most excited for a future career blending education with theoretical and applied contexts to inspire critical thinking, and inspire action in others.”
During school, did you gain experience with a related job?
“First, in relation to teaching, I was a Graduate Teaching Assistant every year of my time as a PhD student. I learned by working with each faculty member and learning about their approach to curating a classroom environment. Second, I gained significant experience in research through Dr. Cavaliere’s Tourism and Conservation Lab as I assisted in data collection, analysis, and writing for inspiring projects. These led to multiple publications that were important experiences for a future in conservation social science research. Finally, my time as a Sustainability Leadership Fellow with the
School of Global Environmental Sustainability furthered skills in science communication and cooperation with transdisciplinary teams.”
What was the most enjoyable part of your HDNR journey?
“The last three and a half years have been memorable. From starting the PhD journey during COVID-19 lockdown of 2020 to defending my dissertation and getting married in Fall 2023, much has changed! Some of the strongest memories I have are from conducting fieldwork for my dissertation data collection. The aim of my dissertation was to explore the relationships between changes experienced by residents of Nederland, Colorado living with a tourism-based economy during COVID-19. The research objectives were focused upon concepts of identity, affect, and technology use – each representing important, though under-explored, components of crisis and disaster management. The kindness, humor, hospitality, and care shown by residents of the Nederland area were true highlights of my HDNR journey. Nederland holds a special place in my heart, so it was an honor to learn from the community, and listen to residents’ thoughts and stories.”
“I chose HDNR because its description and faculty resonated with how I have perceived and pursued education, research, and action. I transitioned from Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University as my undergraduate path to an international dual master’s program in Sustainable Technology and Innovation. I have always felt that the most impactful and important actions in conservation approaches come from connections across disciplines and cultures. I was drawn to CSU’s HDNR department as the mission and vision mirrored my own outlook on sustainability, conservation, and caring for our collective future. Often you see tourism under business-oriented programs, and I appreciated that HDNR sees the tourism as a discipline and method of conservation. Once I saw Dr. Cavaliere’s research in the Tourism and Conservation Lab, I knew I wanted to join.”
