Field Notes

What one law professor does "behind the scenes"

When I began this newsletter, I said I would offer occasional “behind-the-scenes” looks at my research and writing process as I work on my new book—The Whale Who Danced the Blues: Our Battle to Save the Ocean. In a later post, I’ll say more about what I’m researching. Today, I want to say something about how.

I’m always taking notes, so up above you can see a pic of my absolute favorite notebook—Field Notes. They’re small enough to slip in your back pocket and even have a ruler on the back page for measuring. They’re waterproof too. I carry one everywhere.

I started my book project in earnest as part of a year-long fellowship I spent at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study. Surrounded by colleagues from all over the world—whose interests spanned the range of arts, humanities, and sciences—I could not have asked for a richer, more supportive environment. During that year, I worked with three undergraduate “research partners” who helped me mine the libraries, connect with specialists in other departments, and shape a narrative for the book.

Research partners watching for humpback whales (left to right): Sharmila Dey, Haesung Jee, and Ellyssa Jeong

My interest in coral reefs and Indigenous fisheries management took me twice to French Polynesia, where marine biologist Suzanne Mills showed me how she collects clown fish from the reefs in order to study in the lab their tolerance for temperature change. Observations like hers may help us understand how to protect reef species as the ocean heats up.

When trying to make sense of a big topic (the ocean is basically the definition of an absurdly big topic) I find that drawing helps me put things in concrete terms and find a story. I love big pads of drawing paper and, more recently, office whiteboards. The bottom photo is from my office at Radcliffe. The photo on the left was taken at Loyola. I liked the kingfisher so much, I made it into a birthday card for my father-in-law.

As with drawing, another thing that expands my perspective: a little silliness. Again, my research partners were a big help!

As a law professor specializing in climate and the environment, I am incredibly lucky that my research (and my beloved university, Loyola!) allows me the opportunity to visit people and places first-hand. In rain, sleet, or snow—even underwater.

SOUNDINGS (click below)