Jumanah | Coastal Connections

00:01:04: As you may have heard from the last episode, I'll be your new host through till November.

00:01:10: And during our time together i'm looking forward to highlighting some of great work being done in coastal areas and discussing interesting topics related these pieces as well as the vast ocean!

00:01:22: Today I am very excited to join by a colleague and friend Alex Legault.

00:01:27: So welcome Alex.

00:01:28: how are you?

00:01:29: How were doing?

00:01:31: Good thanks for having me.

00:01:33: Of course

00:01:35: I mean, we're very excited to hear about you.

00:01:36: And i'm looking forward to catching up

00:01:38: a little bit

00:01:39: during this episode.

00:01:40: but just start things off and tell us a little by yourself in your background?

00:01:44: Sure yeah so my name is Alex.

00:01:48: obviously um i'm a fourth year master of information and Master of Resource Environmental Management student at Delhousie University which is in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada.

00:01:59: Um...I wasn't born here though!

00:02:01: I was born in a French-Canadian family in Ottawa.

00:02:05: But three, four years ago I decided to move to Nova Scotia.

00:02:10: To start my master's degree.

00:02:12: Um...I love to play music.

00:02:14: um..I love the video games i like to read.

00:02:18: yeah!

00:02:19: I'm so happy to have you join us of course and I'm actually very interested to learn about the research that you've been undertaking as part of your master's and curious.

00:02:30: what led you, was there a particular moment or place?

00:02:38: Yeah sure.

00:02:40: Every early career researcher kind Draw a little sandbox in which they want to play.

00:02:48: and you know, I've been kind of trying to do this myself And i think my sandbox is coastal governance.

00:02:56: Um...I'm interested In anything related To the social dimensions Of climate adaptation especially on The coast uh..and Especially in rural communities.

00:03:08: um....i'm just really Interested in ...in This issue because It's very, I think timely in a sense.

00:03:16: You know?

00:03:17: A lot of governments around the world are kind of struggling to adapt and find the capacity do that type work.

00:03:27: And like many grad students...I guess i became interested this field by accident!

00:03:34: I didn't really go into this program with an idea on what it wanted me To do..and I did grow up my ocean.

00:03:41: Like said.

00:03:41: you know I grew up inland But my family and I often took road trips when i was young.

00:03:48: And we would always drive east, whether that was you know in the hills of the province of Quebec down to St Lawrence River up to The Gulf or even into the Canadian Maritime provinces.

00:04:01: We it way...I Always found myself back by the sea and I think that That was a really big place of calm for me In particular remember the trip that I had in Newfoundland, and it was the first time i saw for instance like a whale from the shoreline.

00:04:20: That really stayed with me.

00:04:22: you know...that was ten years ago.

00:04:23: so yeah..I guess when I moved back to Nova Scotia a few years ago um The ocean felt different but still felt home.

00:04:35: What I find fascinating about the coast, is not just how dynamic it is but also how contested and its uses are.

00:04:44: But for me almost like a secret place.

00:04:48: so...

00:04:50: That's very special!

00:04:51: And i feel like single will can have a lot of changes in someone's life.

00:04:56: You did mention home.

00:04:59: that was really nice because something you're doing within your research too you know, community relationships with the spaces that they're living in and maybe the changes that their experiencing.

00:05:10: So this sort of concept of home like how important do think it is to include your research or at least in your mind while having discussions?

00:05:19: people who live there have histories for as long time has existed but also people

00:05:26: were

00:05:27: perhaps connecting more recently working on those environments?

00:05:34: Yeah I mean The sense of place in general on the coast is very strong, and I think not just for me but a lot people including those that grow up here.

00:05:46: Those who work or retire are here And so it's really special environment.

00:05:55: So many different cultural groups have so many kinds of attachments to this province, Nova Scotia but we have so many communities.

00:06:08: We obviously have the Mi'kmaq rights holders.

00:06:12: We also have Acadian settlers and Black Nova Scotians.

00:06:17: And of course a descendant from the planters British Loyalists.

00:06:23: So there's alot cultural groups that historically had been tied in this area.

00:06:29: But Canada is very multicultural country And increasingly multicultural too, which is great.

00:06:36: So a lot of different relationships are ongoing or being built on an ongoing basis and I think that's really special.

00:06:47: so

00:06:47: what Are the

00:06:48: specific

00:06:52: questions?

00:06:53: That you're looking into as part of your research It's a good question As part Of my Mrems so my massive resource environmental management.

00:07:03: It's not a thesis-based program and it is professional, but you're required to do a capstone project.

00:07:10: So for that project I was lucky enough to be invited to come onto the project essentially lead the research to understand how the Acadians of the descendants of early French settlers here in Nova Scotia how they relate to the BEFundi's Daikon system.

00:07:32: The BEFUNDI is a hyper-title arm of the Gulf of Maine, and as you know Jemana it has got the largest title range in the world can reach up to sixteen meters in some parts so its very vulnerable space.

00:07:54: In the context of this project, I was interested in understanding how Acadians value that area.

00:08:01: So those who live in the Canadian Maritime provinces but also the Acadians who live outside of those provinces.

00:08:09: and That's important because in between seventeen fifty-five and seventeen sixty three about fifteen thousand Acadians were deported by British authorities.

00:08:23: Because of that, they were... They essentially found themselves in the seaports all across an Earth Atlantic Ocean.

00:08:30: And a lot of them ended up coming back to Acadia.

00:08:34: but many of them also stayed where they landed and built new life there as well.

00:08:41: So you've got this diaspora This group That shares common values The common identity spread out around the world And it was unclear for a while, and still is honestly even after writing this paper.

00:08:59: What what does involve in these complex relationship?

00:09:04: In the sense that do diasporans members of the diaspora... Do they value the coastlines, the landscapes in their homeland right?

00:09:19: so That Was One Of The Projects.

00:09:23: If you want, I can also talk about the other one.

00:09:25: It's up to you.

00:09:27: How about?

00:09:27: let's dive into this project a little bit?

00:09:29: I've had that I mean The pleasure of listening two percent on this subject and it is some it said.

00:09:34: it really forced me to think about like I don't know This concept home That we touched down a little but earlier in like distance And what that means amongst different communities and time at place.

00:09:45: Like it was so interesting.

00:09:46: i hadn't thought About connection To nature In that way like Of course its dynamic.

00:09:52: But I mean, sometimes it's like there is a forced separation and time that has taken place but people still feel so connected.

00:09:58: And you did mention the Dyklans and perhaps maybe not all listeners might be completely familiar with this type of landscape?

00:10:07: So I'm curious if you could paint us what that would look like in

00:10:10: sort of

00:10:11: layered history at that landscape.

00:10:13: So dyklans are landforms, anthropogenic landform And they have different names around the world, which makes it a bit confusing.

00:10:23: But for instance in The Netherlands are called polders and Daikon is essentially an area of land that was once a title wetland whether that's a salt marsh or another type of wetland but that was essentially over time reclaimed...and I see reclaimed air quotes Because it's not really an accurate word.

00:10:47: You know, you're not really reclaiming the land and what?

00:10:49: The land was never really claimed in the first place anyways.

00:10:52: There's a whole literature on this But I was reclaimed quote By people for one purpose or another usually as a way to create again creating air quotes right agricultural land Or sultans which were essentially Areas to produce salt which was an important component of the Atlantic fishery and trade, especially to Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

00:11:27: So dykelands are by definition below mean sea level And the vast majority of Nova Scotia's dykeland is located on the Biafundi coastline.

00:11:39: Over a period of just the century, the Akkadians who like I said were descendants of the seventeenth-century French settlers built dykes and they're essentially embankments.

00:11:50: They are earthen walls but the Akadians also equipped those walls with an abatto which is essentially one way sluice that enabled them to drain the extensive salt marshes, I believe and don't quote me on this number but i believe that.

00:12:10: The estimate of pre-settlement well pre-european settlement uh sorry um Of the bit of fundee at that time Um...the amount of salt marsh was something around eighty thousand hectares so it was huge And since then its lost about seventy percent of all marshlands.

00:12:38: Not marshlands, salt marshes.

00:12:41: Marshland by the way is a better name for that.

00:12:44: so sometimes some people call it marsh land.

00:12:49: Keeps things clear as mud does they say?

00:12:51: Yeah and while Akkadian's original goal for instance might have been to build salterns for fishery.

00:12:59: They soon noticed you know, due to the last Ice Age was poorly suited for agriculture.

00:13:08: So they ended up farming the Dyclans in the end.

00:13:12: and these areas now They hold like a historical significance which is an interesting before there's like a practical implementation.

00:13:20: Yes.

00:13:20: And now we're seeing conversations around restoration In terms of landscape or restoration in terms of culture and history.

00:13:30: so how do you think with this historical element and of course, cultural significance to the area.

00:13:37: How are they shaping the choices for communities in decision makers?

00:13:42: In this landscape especially in light like sea level rise storm intensification all these wonderful things associated with climate change And especially with these types landscapes being more and more contested

00:13:56: You're right To say that These landscapes hold cultural value For groups or if not the landscape itself than that you shed from that landscape.

00:14:07: Like for example, near the town of Wolfville in Nova Scotia.

00:14:12: it's a touristic town.

00:14:13: It is a university town honestly beautiful town You know?

00:14:17: Its got a winemaking industry its got a lot agricultural fields but also has bustling market on weekend and close to provincial parks.

00:14:30: so thats good place to start, maybe.

00:14:34: The landscape is now multifunctional because it's supporting all of these uses even though the town has built on Dikeland and to its east a few kilometers down the road is the Grand Prix World Heritage Site.

00:14:56: so it's UNESCO World Heritage site to a Canadian national site, which is called the Grand Prix National Historic Site.

00:15:08: From the viewpoint at Grand Prix you can see the Dike lands that are very important for the Acadians.

00:15:18: but also to the planters because when they were deported the planter came in and was granted land of that area forming townships, but from there you can also see into the distance Blomedun which as we know is a beautiful red cliff in The Minus Basin.

00:15:40: Which is...the part of the Biafundi with highest highs!

00:15:46: And Blomedunn sacred to the Mi'kmaq people said to be, and don't quote me on this you know but said-to-be I believe the birthplace of Gluccap.

00:16:01: And so it's interesting to see how uses overlap um and how values overlap too.

00:16:10: Um.

00:16:12: one of the challenges that my research group and i have had uh this research group led by Dr Kate Sharon is the value that people have to different landforms, you know.

00:16:27: What do they... Do they value for instance The Dyke Land itself?

00:16:34: For a given let's say ecosystem service cultural Ecosystem Service.

00:16:39: Do They Value That Dyke Itself For A Cultural Ecossystem Service?

00:16:43: or Do They Valued The Marsh The Saltmarsh For A Given Service?

00:16:47: and so there is alot of overlap in these values and it's a complex system.

00:16:56: It really is just the complex system.

00:16:58: so to manage that, try to determine who should be involved you know decision-making in the governance of these coastal landscapes?

00:17:11: That's a very difficult question.

00:17:14: one might not necessarily always have an answer.

00:17:18: Yeah, I would have to agree that these are definitely special places but they hold not only significance.

00:17:25: But also like changes and challenges that are facing the communities that live in around them And people who're looking for research there too.

00:17:33: it sounds like your lab has a few questions That actually do want us sort of pivot toward.

00:17:38: now.

00:17:38: perhaps you experience as a master's student your work within interdisciplinary groups and in particular because I know you, yeah.

00:17:48: You're a part of the few groups from my understanding like iKnowyoufrom The EIUI or the Environmental Information Use and Influence.

00:17:55: but then there's a Sharon lab And um-i think we were apart on the marine spatial planning research group together?

00:17:59: I think that's where it first met you!

00:18:02: So being involved In all these groups and All the people that you've connected with through them.

00:18:08: I'm curious how he would say These collaborations have shaped you as a researcher?

00:18:16: I mean, I was really lucky.

00:18:18: Like i said...I started my master's program not knowing what I wanted to study and only able do that because it is professional program obviously with the thesis option in MI but came later.

00:18:39: I joined EIUI, like you mentioned which is Environmental Information Use and Influence.

00:18:44: And it's a research group that studies the use of evidence in coastal governance and marine governance.

00:18:49: Uh... I joined that group in twenty-twenty three because i had read parts one their books.

00:18:58: so thought was really interesting and heard about evidence informed policy but never explored much And so I've been with them ever since.

00:19:09: I then went on to work with the Quarantitative Science Studies Lab for a little bit, QSS lab and what they do is mostly bibliometric analyses.

00:19:25: So they research on research.

00:19:27: essentially They study the research landscapes, citation networks.

00:19:34: The uses and impact which is a very loaded word in that field.

00:19:44: I was lucky because all these collaborations you know they came out of me just being present on campus Which i didn't think would lead to.

00:19:58: I just don't work well from home.

00:19:59: You know, I tend to be distracted so i do make the walk to campus many days a week and Just by being there being in that space talking to people because they're small departments?

00:20:10: So was able to kind of Get involved on a lot of these projects.

00:20:15: um I got involved in twenty-twenty four like you said with the Sharon lab Which was funded uh for awhile by encirque resnet which is Canada wide research network.

00:20:30: That's based at McGill University and its director, the Networks Director was Eleanor Bennett.

00:20:38: so that just finished...that project finished last year And I then got involved in consulting.

00:20:51: So i was consulting for a bit For former director of mine Applying for another position last summer, which was in collaboration with the ecology action center and non-governmental organization here Nova Scotia.

00:21:07: And The climate justice values invulnerability lab so that they take on a more decolonial and Empowering you know position and their scholarship Which was really interesting to me.

00:21:25: I really enjoyed that.

00:21:29: Yeah, all those opportunities like I said.

00:21:31: I've been lucky but Just being on campus and talking to people II never knew that it would lead to this.

00:21:40: I Will say you're not just present?

00:21:41: I think when your in a room with others You bring up really like

00:21:47: personable

00:21:47: energy And I was really pretty sure yeah always appreciate about you.

00:21:52: So okay big president definitely is one of those skills even, I would consider it a skill.

00:21:59: What other kinds of skills have mattered most in your journey so far?

00:22:03: If there were any perhaps expected ones you thought perhaps presence is one of those.

00:22:07: but are there any unexpected things that have benefited over

00:22:11: time?".

00:22:12: Yeah...I keep saying this little phrase here.. I don't know if it translates well to English like putting the name into hat.

00:22:23: Okay, yeah.

00:22:23: No that's

00:22:26: an English too.

00:22:28: So putting your name in the hat I feel like that's the The best advice i've received and then I received it in my first year of masters.

00:22:37: But you know we know that a lot of these opportunities are competitive.

00:22:42: You know early career researchers Are being asked to produce a lot And they're being asked get involved a lot um and come back to the idea that it's about taking a chance, you know?

00:23:00: There are other things of course that weigh into this.

00:23:03: But I think putting your name in hat is something that really benefited me.

00:23:11: but i will say...I did find myself at one point over last few years where put my name too much and ended up being a little bit... I feel like a lot VCRs can relate But eventually, what that enabled me to do afterwards is be a bit more selective because I had gained the experience by getting involved.

00:23:36: It only took like year or two of experience.

00:23:39: really being able to specialize in my work and into position where i feel like can actually afford you know turn down opportunities.

00:23:51: Okay, yes.

00:23:52: Be present putting your name in the hags and also deciding what is important for you at that time.

00:24:01: I mean You definitely sound busy.

00:24:02: i know That you are busy but i'm curious.

00:24:05: What keeps you motivated?

00:24:06: What brings you joy through Your

00:24:08: work?

00:24:09: I think it's a combination of A factor Of things.

00:24:11: you Know academia Is Criticized And rightfully so But at the same time, it's very much a refuge for people like us.

00:24:21: You know?

00:24:22: For people who are curious about things and... It was the first in my life I feel where I was able to be really myself without trying to mask some shape or form that fact that i'm a nerd you know And that I am curious of everything to think about difficult questions, even philosophical questions.

00:24:49: It provides a space where that is encouraged and not something your friends would make fun of you for because it's okay if you made fun of it.

00:25:01: I'm just saying at the same time its nice feel like i have home the fact that I can be myself, and then... The other thing is just it's exciting to not know where you'll end up.

00:25:20: You know?

00:25:21: Yeah!

00:25:22: My interests have changed a lot over time And i always pictured myself in certain place but now actually don't really know Where its all gonna go and im kinda okay with that.

00:25:34: Im willing once again put my name on hat.

00:25:39: Yeah, I would say growing up.

00:25:40: I had this trajectory planned out for myself and i can assure you none of it went down how it was supposed to on that paper!

00:25:49: And now we just ended up in different places doing things like... I mean yeah what am I doing here?

00:25:56: Sometimes ask myself that-I'm very happy to be here and its one those thing is putting your name in the hat really not meaningfully.

00:26:04: all the time.

00:26:04: planning every single aspect can result in pretty exciting adventures and opportunities to learn.

00:26:14: So I mean we're kind of sort of dipping into this section already, it was meaning to talk a bit about like advice you'd give to early career professionals or early career ocean professionals?

00:26:23: We've talked a little bit about that already but i'm curious if there is anything

00:26:37: feel really like, you know I'm still an ECR myself.

00:26:42: I am in a position to give any authoritative advice or any long lasting advice to other colleagues at the same stage.

00:26:58: but this is what advice that was given me once again my first year researches.

00:27:07: It can be, I don't know if you're allowed to say this word on the air but it could be hell on earth.

00:27:19: But...it can also be the most wonderful thing and so its about drawing those boundaries The the most challenging piece for me and this is advice.

00:27:32: I would give myself an M giving myself but Is to get better at?

00:27:39: At playing the long game, you know a drawing the boundaries now because We're not gonna get less busy as our careers become You know evolve and so on like it's actually probably just going to get busier.

00:27:52: And so if those good habits in right now, you Know whether that's sleeping well, eating well exercising from time to time all those things like this is what I'm trying kind of put in place here so that essentially the rest you know my work and research can actually flourish because it has a stronger roots.

00:28:21: So i guess thats advice would give anyone else but its also the advise im giving myself And

00:28:28: that's the best kind of advice, I think.

00:28:30: Yeah

00:28:31: Okay So i guess now we can talk about perhaps looking into the future a little bit.

00:28:38: We've talked about what's brought us here.

00:28:40: The things were working on currently.

00:28:41: our thoughts on that even touched On these concepts at home and What that means

00:28:46: for people?

00:28:48: Historically or currently Or even in the future as says the climate changes and choose how we have to handle These situations.

00:28:55: but Looking ahead What gives you hope when you think of the future of coasts or coastal adaptation?

00:29:03: I think there's, especially here in Nova Scotia.

00:29:06: There is phenomenal work being done.

00:29:08: You know...there are phenomenal people who work on these issues and we do have boots-on-the ground And they're our community champions that lead those issues That identify policy windows to make adaptation happen In areas where perhaps not initially think they would be at the forefront of that, but really do take on that leadership.

00:29:34: And it's something we've observed for instance in Nova Scotia where given the fact that the province has devolved a lot of coastal adaptation...has downloaded I should say…a lot of Coastal Adaptation policymaking to municipalities have now had.

00:29:57: But I have hope because it's possible.

00:30:01: And, you know...I think by seeing the capacity that requires at municipal level perhaps the electorate will eventually be able to speak their mind in a way that best aligns with there experiences on the ground.

00:30:20: but what also gives me.

00:30:22: There's a really great paper by Kate Sharon, my former supervisor and colleague but also Dan Kavan-Pruzich who is the lead at Trans Coastal Adaptations.

00:30:42: Thank you!

00:30:45: And they are working with consulting company called CBUS and with the province, and with communities.

00:30:53: And so many different partners to implement managed retreat manager alignment in some areas.

00:31:04: That's essentially where they'll build another dyke behind a former one that will breach the former dyke over time with the flow of the tide, the salt marsh because there's just so much sediment in the Bay of Fundy.

00:31:19: The salt marsh will come back and then they monitor it right?

00:31:23: And they see how it can be replicated in other areas.

00:31:26: but to get that social license you know on that trust from communities... That gives me hope!

00:31:32: To see that that's possible..that people who live here want to see change....That is huge.

00:31:42: I mean that's how it will happen.

00:31:47: It is difficult, right?

00:31:48: Because I often think climate change and these really complex problems are generational problems.

00:31:57: our generation yes we inherited this problem which was already a hundred fifty years old by the time were born.

00:32:08: but at It's our duty to then think about the next hundred and fifty years.

00:32:13: And so on, right?

00:32:15: So that those who inherit the problem later on hopefully will be in a better position to deal with it.

00:32:21: Um...and it starts with that grassroots work.

00:32:25: um..it is super cliche but its actually true.

00:32:28: you can only see it.

00:32:29: I mean You have to see it to believe

00:32:31: it.

00:32:31: Very well said.

00:32:33: So I think your emotions have come through a little bit, how you talk about the work that you're doing and what you hope to see in these spaces.

00:32:41: But i would like to hear from you... Your thoughts or guess your feeling of- What does it mean?

00:32:47: Or..What is being part this work?

00:32:50: A part of ocean, a part of coastal community work?

00:32:53: What's this means for us as a person?

00:32:56: As researchers aside How do feel about those kinds contributions?

00:33:01: I love being by the coast, you know.

00:33:03: I'm considering pursuing doctoral studies at another university more inland and it makes me sad to think about leaving because that's been the sea even though my research would still be on this area so far.

00:33:22: To Be By The Coast is special for me claustrophobic.

00:33:32: I don't like tight spaces, but when you're on the shore or a beach and look out at the horizon it's...it is a larger space that we can probably get to on land unless climbing the highest mountain in your area.

00:33:49: You drive there!

00:33:57: So I think that's special to me.

00:33:59: It just in French we say les grands espaces, you know like the large spaces but In this sense of like grandiosity too right?

00:34:07: And so it does have that feeling of grandiosity To be there and to belong to that community its important work.

00:34:14: because Its happening right now, you Know.

00:34:19: Erosion storm stir storm surges and Of course sea level rise.

00:34:26: people Experienced it, you know.

00:34:28: You don't need to be a scientist To see the people who live on the coast.

00:34:32: they experience that every day Every year every month whatever.

00:34:38: A lot of them have grown up there and They've seen how it changed.

00:34:41: so It's a bit like farmers right?

00:34:46: we often think that I feel like farmers are very misunderstood because Our rural places in general here very misunderstood But they're very aware of the impacts of climate change.

00:34:58: It's affecting their livelihoods, you know?

00:35:01: So it is kind of same with people who live on the coast.

00:35:06: I mean we're just coming up to end and have a few rapid fire questions after this but i did want ask uh...you share how listeners can continue follow wonderful work that your doing?

00:35:18: Oh well if they are interested then thats awesome.

00:35:22: But If They Are Interested feel free add me at linkedin There, I follow other researchers there.

00:35:33: Otherwise...I did start to build my Google Scholar profile so we'll see!

00:35:39: We have an age index of like.

00:35:43: yes.

00:35:48: Obviously it's not the sole measure impact at all but just has a joke here.

00:35:55: Now let's move into some speed.

00:35:57: questions.

00:35:58: And yeah, so I've got a few of them for you here and i'd like to hear your thoughts.

00:36:02: The first thing that come to mind?

00:36:04: So what is the most influential book paper podcast or place that you've come

00:36:11: across?

00:36:14: Paper.

00:36:14: it's probably the one But there's other scholars on that paper as well, including I think Patricia Manuel.

00:36:32: The five hours framework so reimagining coastal adaptation...I can't remember the exact title it was published.

00:36:41: Flood risk?

00:36:43: We'll link in.

00:36:43: we could look into this group.

00:36:44: Yeah yeah.

00:36:46: In twenty-four.

00:36:47: So that's a great movie and really love that one And its is well written for an audience.

00:36:51: you know they're larger audience too.

00:36:53: All

00:36:54: right, in your opinion poster presentation or workshop?

00:37:00: Workshop.

00:37:01: Yeah same

00:37:02: okay but they're the hardest.

00:37:04: so you know if I feel like the presentation is the easiest one The poster is a second-hardest one and then the workshop was the hardest one.

00:37:13: But that's just me

00:37:14: yeah And that's what these questions are about.

00:37:17: Okay favorite part of your graduate

00:37:20: work One on one meetings with advisors

00:37:24: Mmm, okay.

00:37:25: And the least favorite part of graduate work?

00:37:28: Transcription.

00:37:30: I was trying to think...of mine and i would have to agree.

00:37:32: yet Just sometimes you forget Yeah it is!

00:37:36: Sometimes You don't realize that whole day going by and..I Have a window behind me.

00:37:41: suddenly I notice how dark It Is.

00:37:43: then The Whole Day Has Gone.

00:37:44: I feel like That's the worst Part just time fleeting.

00:37:54: You want to do justice, you know?

00:37:56: Like one of the challenges I've been experiencing with... Well it's not a challenge.

00:38:00: It's a good challenge right but i promised my participants well the participants in my research projects as I should say that I would provide them with a copy of the transcript Right like just says thank-you or whatever and for their record keeping purposes.

00:38:16: But that means I have to make it Good.

00:38:20: His more

00:38:21: eyes on it now.

00:38:22: yeah Okay, and the last one is you did talk about this but I'm curious if we have another one.

00:38:29: The best piece of advice you've ever received?

00:38:32: Uh okay it's up there among the best pieces of advise that i've ever recieved.

00:38:37: But uh...the best projects are the ones finished And thats hard Especially as an early career researcher.

00:38:44: when to finish a project Is hard Of course its never really finished Its scholarship.

00:38:51: It will always be open But to actually like kind of move on something else is hard.

00:38:58: Yeah, and also the pressure that we put in ourselves To make something perfect but perfect as so subjective And a deadline isn't?

00:39:07: So sometimes The best projects are finished ones.

00:39:11: Yes it's impossible for us to evolve or grow As young researchers.

00:39:19: P don't take that risk.

00:39:20: You know, if you don't Take the leap of putting your work out there and being scrutinized And judged in I my first degree was a music and i remember we had this thing called performance class.

00:39:31: So every week?

00:39:33: You show up and you play The piece on it That you've been studying for awhile On your instrument in front Of all your colleagues and then they give you feedback.

00:39:41: live you Know.

00:39:44: i feel like that prepared me A little bit for This kind of work here in research where you know uh collegiality reciprocity is very important but it's still hard.

00:39:58: I guess yeah being open to feedback is another piece of advice.

00:40:02: or take a music class and

00:40:04: play in front of everybody

00:40:04: this week okay well thank you so much Alex.

00:40:08: that wraps up all my questions, was there anything particular he would like?

00:40:19: Maybe you can tell the audience a little bit more about you since You're hosting this for the first time.

00:40:25: Yeah, okay This was supposed to be

00:40:26: about you Alex

00:40:27: we had it.

00:40:28: We touched on that introduction.

00:40:33: No yeah That's all right.

00:40:35: I mean i'm hoping too.

00:40:41: Oh Yeah but The ideas I do hope To share A Little Bit About Some Of The Work That I'm Doing As We Progress.

00:40:46: But A good idea so far, and of course you can reach out to me with any questions.

00:40:52: My email will be also noted in the description of the podcast.

00:40:56: And if you have any other ideas for podcasts For The Future not just through November while I'm hosting but for um...the GenC Podcast In general.

00:41:05: So thank you again very much Alex!

00:41:07: So happy To Have You and i hope yeah maybe We Can Have You Again in the future.

00:41:11: who knows

00:41:12: Awesome thanks have a great one

00:41:14: Yeah Thanks.