What is your role at Hattaway?
As a Research Associate, I conduct audience research: I ask creative and insightful questions about audience awareness, aspirations, beliefs, and priorities. I help clients understand what motivates people to act, join a cause, or care for something by bringing quantitative and observational science methodologies into my research. I leverage my educational background in anthropology and social sciences, which means that I use my specialized knowledge about humans and the interplay between us, our environment, our cultures, and each other. My interdisciplinary professional background in nonprofit work, environmental advocacy, multicultural studies, and cultural resource management allows me to bring a well-rounded approach to my research.
What are you currently working on that you are really passionate about and why?
I am particularly excited about Hattaway’s work with the Walton Family Foundation (WFF) and Restore the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) to develop a public report that marries all the research they have done over the last 5–10 years around coastal restoration and coastal protection issues. With the Louisiana elections for governor and state congress approaching this fall, we want to make sure coastal restoration is on the ballot. In collaboration with Hattaway Communications, WFF and MRD have done a large amount of research about public perceptions and media conversations, but they have explored in less detail how those two conversations are interacting with each other. During this phase of our work, we will synthesize that research to show the overwhelming favorability of coastal restoration among Louisiana residents, and we will show voters and politicians alike the widespread support for protecting the coast—and that they should be on the right side of the issue.
What is currently igniting your imagination?
To gain more context and understanding for the world of artificial intelligence, I am currently reading Atlas of AI by Kate Crawford. The book draws on more than a decade of research about AI, detailing what could be at stake as our society and most prominent technology companies use artificial intelligence to reshape the world. I find it extremely interesting to understand the benefits and risks of AI as it becomes one of the most innovative and advanced tools in the world.
What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
My ideal day off consists of attending my local farmers market, reading, spending time at the beach or at the park, getting some exercise, and having a good dinner or drinks with my friends.
What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
An essential part of my daily routine is the walks that I take around my neighborhood. I live in the middle of Little Italy in San Diego, which is beautiful. I love to walk to the fountains, to the coffee shops and restaurants, through the neighborhoods, and out to the bay, where I can watch the ships. It is a great way to clear my head and get some exercise.
