Bachelor of Science (Honours), Earth & Environmental Sciences • McMaster University
Bio
Josephine graduated from McMaster University in spring of 2020 with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Earth & Environmental Sciences and a Minor in Sustainability. Throughout her time in undergrad, she completed a diverse range of projects on unique sustainability-related topics, such as upcycling for waste minimization in the coffee industry, the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, reducing cigarette butt pollution in Hamilton, and improving dependability, accessibility, and community engagement at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market. Josephine attributes her passion for sustainable development to the incredible professors and community members that she met throughout her time at McMaster University who inspired her to have confidence in her ability to be a leader in sustainability.
For as long as she can remember, Josephine has been passionate about sustainable education and sustainable community development. She believes in the ability of people to make positive changes in the world if they come together synergistically, finding strength in their individuality and value in their differences. In high school, she was the President of the Eco Team, known as T.R.E.E., which helped the school to improve in the areas of waste production and energy use. In university, Josephine was the Founder and President of a student-run organization known as Zero Waste McMaster with a purpose of promoting conscious, sustainable, low-waste living both on campus and in the broader community. Josephine helped to organize several successful events such as a low-waste living discussion panel, educational workshops, social media campaigns, and community clean-ups, leading to the club achieving the 2019-2020 “New Club of the Year” Award. Also in the educational realm, Josephine worked as a teaching assistant at McMaster University for the courses “Evaluating Problems and Sustainable Solutions” and “Regional Geography of Canada” where she enjoyed helping students to broaden their perspectives on a diverse range of sustainability issues. Over the past several years, Josephine has worked with children as an Environment, Art, and Nature Instructor at a local community centre, where she inspires young people to find beauty in nature, to upcycle what they would otherwise throw away, and to become environmental stewards.
In her personal life, Josephine is interested in living a conscious and intentional lifestyle as much as possible and loves learning about how to minimize personal waste production and how to encourage others to do so too in an accessible manner. She also enjoys spending her time in nature, whether that be through hiking, cycling, walking through the neighborhood, travelling, or having a picnic with friends and family. She loves to express herself through art, and her favourite mediums are embroidery and printmaking. In her spare time, you’ll find her reading, baking, visiting local coffee shops, at a concert or play, or journaling by the water.
Josephine's MScSM Internship: The City of Mississauga
(Download full poster here)
Josephine's Research Poster
