Every summer, our lab offers students and early-career researchers the chance to step outside the classroom and into the field, where theory meets practice, and curiosity leads the way. Whether collecting data in remote environments, collaborating with local communities, or navigating the unexpected challenges of fieldwork, these experiences provide invaluable opportunities for growth, discovery, and connection. Here are some shared firsthand reflections from some of our summer research team:
Tamara Donnelly
During June and October 2026, I had the opportunity to travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Chicago, Illinois, area to conduct fieldwork alongside several community organizations and partners. Throughout the summer, I collaborated with the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee to administer surveys and collect drawings from children and youth participating in their free fishing rod lending program. At the Center’s Autumn Celebration in the fall, I was delighted to return and award fishing rods and gear to two youth who participated in our research and were drawn as the winners of our raffle! They were so excited to have a fishing rod of their own, and we were able to purchase them through our community partner A&C Live Bait Inc.
In addition to this work, I met with numerous community partners across Milwaukee and Chicago to strengthen existing collaborations, plan future research activities, and begin developing partnerships related to an upcoming project on winter and ice fishing in Wisconsin.
In October, research assistant Sarah Lavallée and I conducted intercept surveys with salmon anglers along the Lake Michigan shoreline to learn more about Illinois’ salmon snagging fishery and the experiences of those who participate in it.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with these communities and organizations and look forward to continuing this research, deepening partnerships, and expanding these projects in the coming year.
