Our lab performs both community-engaged research and outreach to broaden the impact of our work. The following projects reflect some of our major goals. If you would like someone from our lab to speak to or bring a hands-on activity to your group, please get in touch with us.
Understand how polysynthetic languages communicate ideas about ecology, evolution, and behavior
Human language evolves by a process similar to biological evolution. Polysynthetic languages, like Cherokee, convey information by combining word parts together to create meaning. An interesting consequence of this language structure is that a single word can convey very detailed information to a speaker of a polysynthetic language the first time that they have ever heard that word. One of our major projects, called ᎤᎾᏙᏣᎵ (Unadotsali), involves working with Cherokee speakers and knowledge keepers to build a database of how Cherokee talks about animal behaviors, evolution, ecology, and the ways in which human beings relate to other organisms. Our dual purpose is to develop classroom lessons and mentorship plans to broaden student perspectives and understand how speaking these polysynthetic languages may strengthen outcomes of ecological education.
Increase access and engagement
A major focus of our outreach program is conducting hands-on science activities with young people to ensure they have access to STEM education and enrichment. Activities have included observations of animal behavior, day-camp style STEM introductions, and science fair mentorship. We participate annually in the Darwin Day festivities hosted by the McClung Museum on UTK's campus. Our goal with these activities is to demonstrate that anyone who adopts the scientific method is a scientist, and thereby to empower students to learn about the natural world and perhaps even seek science careers.
Advance science literacy and understanding of ecology and evolution
We work primarily in ecology and evolutionary biology, a key field in understanding and mitigating climate change and related environmental disasters. An ecologically informed global citizenry is critically important moving forward. We regularly volunteer in partnership with various organizations, including public schools, natural history museums, and professional societies, to engage with the public on issues of ecology and evolutionary biology and broaden access to the knowledge created by research communities.
Turn our work products into useful tools or resources for other scientists
Scientists use an increasing number of code-based tools to conduct research; cultivating the expertise to create these tools can be time-consuming. The creation of shareable resources such as software helps advance the research community. SynSing, a collaboration with Mark Bee and Joshua Justison, is a free and open-source, MATLAB-based software application designed for generating animal sounds. SynSing helps bioacoustics students and researchers make and use synthetic animal sounds as experimental stimuli.
Understand how polysynthetic languages communicate ideas about ecology, evolution, and behavior
Human language evolves by a process similar to biological evolution. Polysynthetic languages, like Cherokee, convey information by combining word parts together to create meaning. An interesting consequence of this language structure is that a single word can convey very detailed information to a speaker of a polysynthetic language the first time that they have ever heard that word. One of our major projects, called ᎤᎾᏙᏣᎵ (Unadotsali), involves working with Cherokee speakers and knowledge keepers to build a database of how Cherokee talks about animal behaviors, evolution, ecology, and the ways in which human beings relate to other organisms. Our dual purpose is to develop classroom lessons and mentorship plans to broaden student perspectives and understand how speaking these polysynthetic languages may strengthen outcomes of ecological education.
Increase access and engagement
A major focus of our outreach program is conducting hands-on science activities with young people to ensure they have access to STEM education and enrichment. Activities have included observations of animal behavior, day-camp style STEM introductions, and science fair mentorship. We participate annually in the Darwin Day festivities hosted by the McClung Museum on UTK's campus. Our goal with these activities is to demonstrate that anyone who adopts the scientific method is a scientist, and thereby to empower students to learn about the natural world and perhaps even seek science careers.
Advance science literacy and understanding of ecology and evolution
We work primarily in ecology and evolutionary biology, a key field in understanding and mitigating climate change and related environmental disasters. An ecologically informed global citizenry is critically important moving forward. We regularly volunteer in partnership with various organizations, including public schools, natural history museums, and professional societies, to engage with the public on issues of ecology and evolutionary biology and broaden access to the knowledge created by research communities.
Turn our work products into useful tools or resources for other scientists
Scientists use an increasing number of code-based tools to conduct research; cultivating the expertise to create these tools can be time-consuming. The creation of shareable resources such as software helps advance the research community. SynSing, a collaboration with Mark Bee and Joshua Justison, is a free and open-source, MATLAB-based software application designed for generating animal sounds. SynSing helps bioacoustics students and researchers make and use synthetic animal sounds as experimental stimuli.
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