Grace Larsson,

UBC’s interdisciplinary approach to environmental studies was perfect for someone who couldn’t stay in one academic lane. My PhD ended up combining ecology, economics, psychology, and political science – basically everything you need to understand why smart people keep making environmentally terrible decisions. That broad foundation means I can help students tackle environmental questions from multiple angles, whether they’re approaching from hard sciences or social sciences.

The Pacific Northwest setting wasn’t just beautiful scenery – it was a living laboratory. I spent countless hours in old-growth forests, coastal wetlands, and urban sustainability projects throughout Vancouver and beyond. That hands-on experience with both pristine ecosystems and environmental challenges gives me credibility when helping students design field research or understand the real-world implications of their work.

After six years of academic coaching, I’ve guided over 190 students through environmental research projects spanning everything from climate change adaptation to environmental justice. My clients include traditional ecology students, but also folks in Public Policy, Geography, Urban Planning, and Business who are tackling sustainability questions. Environmental issues are inherently interdisciplinary, so my coaching reflects that reality.

My technical toolkit includes GIS mapping, statistical analysis for ecological data, survey research, policy analysis, and qualitative methods for community-based research. I’m comfortable with R, ArcGIS, and various field research techniques. Citation styles include APA, CSE, and Chicago, though environmental journals can be quirky about formatting requirements.

What I bring that’s unique is experience with politically charged research. Environmental topics often involve conflicts between economic interests, community needs, and ecological protection. I help students navigate those tensions while maintaining scholarly objectivity. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t collecting data – it’s presenting findings that might challenge powerful stakeholders.

My coaching philosophy centers on making environmental research accessible and actionable. Academic writing about environmental issues can get trapped in ivory tower language that never reaches the people who could actually use the findings. I help students communicate complex environmental concepts clearly without dumbing them down.

Students appreciate my practical approach to research ethics in environmental work. When you’re studying communities affected by environmental problems, there are real ethical considerations about research relationships, data ownership, and how findings get used. I’ve learned these lessons through experience, sometimes the hard way.

The success rate of 95% reflects my commitment to helping students complete projects that matter to them personally. Environmental research can be emotionally heavy – you’re constantly confronting evidence of ecological damage, social inequality, and systemic failures. I provide both methodological guidance and emotional support for students dealing with that weight.

What energizes me most is working with students who want their research to create change. Whether that’s informing policy decisions, supporting community advocacy, or changing how organizations think about sustainability, I love helping people design studies that can actually influence environmental outcomes.

UBC’s location means I’m constantly surrounded by the environments we’re studying. That keeps the research grounded and relevant. It’s hard to write abstract theories about forest management when you can walk through actual old-growth stands during lunch breaks.

When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me kayaking in English Bay, trail running in Pacific Spirit Park, or experimenting with growing vegetables year-round (surprisingly challenging in Vancouver’s climate). I also volunteer with local environmental education programs – there’s something powerful about watching kids discover their connection to natural systems for the first time.