Paul Alexander - Irish Fulbright/Environmental Protection Agency Award in Environmental Science & Policy 2010/2011 |
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Paul graduated from his BA in University College Dublin in 2009 majoring in Geography. During his first year in 2006 along with a fellow student, Paul created the first interactive map of UCD. It was the first time in UCD that an undergraduate student was granted academic credit (ECTs) for proposing and completing independent work that benefited the college. Following this, Paul lead numerous projects within the School of Geography, Planning & Environmental Policy, including the development of the first weather station on UCD campus (GPEP1). Paul also served on the staff student committee within the School for 4 years, representing over 400 students. Paul's research interests are Climatology and the effect the urban canopy has on the atmosphere. He was invited to join the School of Geographical Science and Urban Planning for 2 semesters as a visiting researcher supervised by Professor Anthony Brazel; the senior climatologist for the entire Western United States. While on his Fulbright, Paul ran a joint project between UCD, NUIM and Arizona State University involving a rigorous climatological and meteorological campaign of measurements to assess the impact of Ireland's capitol on the atmosphere, thus strengthening networks of research both nationally and internationally, and placing Dublin on a short list of cities to engage in such work. “Forget everything you know (or don't know) about America and instead immerse yourself in their culture”
“These were the final words I told myself leading up to my time on the Fulbright and indeed as I boarded the plane leaving behind my country for a year of research, still slightly stunned by the fact this was happening at all. “Leaving your home for a year (or more) will always be a test of your resolve, particularly if like me you are young and have never left your home country behind for more than a few months - but when you click into that fight or flight mode, remember the opportunity you have: to learn about a whole new place, to find a favorite coffee shop, to see things that we couldn’t imagine being cooped up in Ireland, and you’ll fight to stay - I promise. “These words also come from the only 2010/2011 Fulbrighter (as far as I know) who lost his passport, so I know bad luck happens. I also know you can overcome these events. I made countless new friends, deepened my understanding of my subject, dished out all my knowledge of Irish folklore to everyone I met, and learned a thing or two about interior design along the way. “My Fulbright was a roller-coaster of misfortune, mistakes, panic, new faces, new places, lifelong experiences… and I wouldn’t change a thing. It has been my privilege to be in the USA as an Irish Fulbrighter (or as I was so lovingly referred to in ASU “Half-Brighter” “I never stop being grateful for my time there. Not even for a minute.”
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Fulbright Project: Joint project between UCD, NUIM and Arizona State University involving a rigorous climatological and meteorological campaign of measurements to assess the impact of Ireland's capitol on the atmosphere.
