Thorson Pearson is a Carleton College Class of 2029 student studying Political Science and Environmental Studies. His research interests focus on environmental politics and history, particularly how land use, infrastructure, water, and public institutions have shaped communities in California and the American West.

Previous research experience: I have worked as a researcher and lab assistant at The Huntington and now assist Carleton's American Studies department. I have also had field experience with an engineering and planning firm. A realistic research project for me would combine archival sources, maps, planning documents, and field observations to understand how an environmental decision developed over time and who was affected by it.

How I got started: I got started through archival work. Seeing original documents at The Huntington made research feel much more concrete, and I began asking how those historical records connected to present-day environmental decisions. At Carleton, I would use that question to approach faculty in both American Studies and Environmental Studies rather than forcing the project into one discipline.

Open to being contacted: Maybe, ask me first

Preferred contact: LinkedIn

Advice/notes: environmental history; environmental policy; archival research; American Studies; land use; water and infrastructure; interdisciplinary research; maps and planning documents; finding research as a first- or second-year student

Links

Location

Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre, CA 91024, USA