Blair McLaughlin

Blair McLaughlin earned a Ph.D. in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a B.A. in anthropology from Harvard University.

She teaches courses on ecology, ethnobotany, and soundscapes. Her research focuses on climate change effects on ecological communities, and how to conserve biodiversity with climate change. Bringing a background in anthropology to her work in ecology, she strives for a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to socio-ecological challenges.

Recent and Upcoming Courses

Special Projects
Advanced Ecology Practicum
The Advanced Ecology Practicum provides an opportunity for students who are conducting (or interested in conducting) ecological or environmental research to learn from each others' work and pursue more advanced topics in ecology and conservation. We will explore issues of research question development, experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing and communication of results. The class will workshop student projects at various stages of progression, visit local field sites, and explore related topics in the ecological literature. Additionally, we will delve into some more advanced issues in ecology and conservation, based on student interests. The course format will be workshop/seminar style with field trips, and include outside in-person meetings as weather permits and online meetings. It will require substantial independent work on the part of students. Walking in variable weather/terrain may be required. Keywords: ecology, environmental conservation, environmental science
Ecological Soundscapes
This course will explore the bridge between music and ecology drawing from the fields of ecological sound art, eco-musicology, acoustic ecology and soundscape ecology. Using primary literature, mixed media and deep listening, we will address the ways that sound functions in the ecological environment, and the ways sound and music can be used to represent ecological and conservation issues. We will consider how the landscape is organized and transformed by sound, how noise pollution and changes in soundscapes are impacting ecosystems, organisms and human health, and how sound art and soundscape composition can enhance understanding of the natural environment and address environmental problems. Students will conduct their own field recordings and create their own compositions, engage in listening and discussion sessions and participate in field trips on local sound environments. For final projects students may choose to focus on creative or ecological science-based work. Prerequisites: a strong interest in music and ecology. Walking in variable terrain and weather may be required.
Ecology
How do living things exist together? Ecology is the study of the relationships of living things to each other and their environment. With an emphasis on plants, this course will introduce students to community and landscape ecology, as well as explore broader socio-ecological perspectives, including conservation/restoration ecology, the effects of global change and political ecology. We will use a combination of primary scientific literature, popular science media, environmental literature, and textbook resources. Students will also begin to explore basic ecological study design and analysis in R programming language. We will explore local field sites and conduct in depth observation of a campus ecological community. Walking in variable terrain and weather will be required. This course has no prerequisites.
Soundscapes
Soundscapes will explore the emerging field of eco-musicology -- bridging music and sound studies with ecology. Using primary literature, mixed media and deep listening, the course will address the ways that sound functions in the ecological environment, and the ways sound and music can be used to represent ecological phenomena. We will consider how the landscape is organized and transformed by sound, how noise pollution is impacting ecosystems and how music can enhance understanding of the environment. Students will work with Hampshire Library Media Labs to conduct their own field recordings and create their own compositions. Prerequisites: a strong interest in music and ecology. Walking in variable terrain and weather may be required.