Summer Research Fellow Spotlight Emily Andreasson
Rethinking the design of urban public spaces has the potential to sustainably transform urban fabrics so that they support play —a sense of wonder and delight—, inspire intergeneration interaction, and promote greater engagement with and increased care for the environment.
Q: How did you first get interested in undergraduate research at UK?
A: "I was invited to do research into playscape design with Professor Lindsey Fay."
Q: How long have you been engaged in undergraduate research?
A: "A little over one year."
Q: Describe what a typical day of remote summer research activity looks like for you. How does this differ from your pre-COVID research activity?
A: "My research this summer focuses on the design of green spaces and community spaces in urban settings with a focus on European cities and American cities. In a typical day of focused research I spend time using digital resources to understand precedents and existing case studies relating urban design and green urban spaces. I also spend time mapping and visually analyzing those findings for a greater design understanding and presentation. Pre-COVID, my research involved more frequent visits to physical sites and data gathering methods such as taking photographs, observing user interaction within spaces, and sketching design features of the space. I also coordinated more interviews relating to user experience and professional expertise pre-COVID."
Q: What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?
A: "Trying to adapt my research focus to engage with evolving issues such as COVID-19 and social issues has made my research experience this summer somewhat tumultuous but also very interesting and exciting."
Q: What advice would you give to other UK students thinking about doing research?
A: "Undergrad is a great time to explore topics that interest you in a supportive and structured manner. It is a great experience and will enrich your other studies as well as providing you with great experience and deeper knowledge. It is also exciting to be able to contribute to new ideas in your field."
The UK Office of Undergraduate Research's Summer Research and Creativity Fellowship program provides undergraduates with the opportunity to study in a wide variety of disciplines while doing intensive and self-directed research or creative work under the supervision of a faculty mentor.