By: Madeline Shaw
Hi! My name is Madeline Shaw, I am a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering with minors in French and environmental science, and I am part of the 2026 Global Scholars cohort. When I think of the phrase “global scholar,” I think of someone who is open-minded, educated about the world, and interested in learning more about different cultures and people around the world. This summer, I plan to carry out the tenets of global scholarship by going to a new country by myself and educating myself on a new culture and the world around me. Also, I will have an opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world global environmental challenges such as flooding and climate change. As a global scholar, I want to approach my experience with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn from both scientific research and lived experiences.
Over the summer, I am traveling to Dublin, Ireland, and I will participate in an internship at a geochemistry lab at the Dublin City University. I will spend two months there (June and July) studying the blue carbon content of coastal sediments while also doing my own research as a global scholar. I am very much looking forward to experiencing a new country, as I have never been to Ireland before, and I would like to learn more about the country and the people who live there. I am also looking forward to participating in research and learning new skills that may help me in the future. On the other hand, I am apprehensive about going to a new country by myself as I have never traveled alone for that long before, and I also do not know anyone there. I’m slightly worried about being lonely, but hopefully I will meet other people who are doing the same program as me and make new friends!
My community-based inquiry (CBI) is “How do differences in stormwater drainage infrastructure influence flooding vulnerability among neighborhoods in Dublin during heavy rainfall events?” I chose to investigate this because it is related to my major and I am interested in sustainable infrastructure. I am also interested in focusing on the sociological aspect of this topic, which is why I am studying the difference in vulnerability across different neighborhoods. To study this inquiry, I am going to be using scholarly articles as well as conducting interviews with people while I am in Dublin. I plan on interviewing people from different neighborhoods across Dublin as well as professionals who specialize in infrastructure. I think this research could be valuable in furthering research and improving sustainable infrastructure in Dublin.
To integrate myself and engage in my host community, I will go to local events and try to become friends with locals. Also, although they mainly speak English in Ireland, I have started learning Irish. In terms of sharing my own culture, I look forward to connecting with others at Dublin City University over shared interests such as education, environmental sustainability, and student life. Coming from St. Pete, Florida, a region also affected by flooding and extreme weather, I hope to exchange perspectives on how different communities approach similar environmental challenges.
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