Institute at Brown for Environment and Society

Alyssa Browning-Gray '15

Biography

What did you find most valuable during your time as a Voss Environmental Fellow?

My time as a Voss Environmental Fellow provided my first real taste of field ecology. I could study and discuss theories, methodology, and statistics to my heart's content, but nothing quite prepared me for the days of bad weather, wild animals, and unforeseen interference. With such a supportive professor as Heather Leslie, Voss was a great avenue to jump into the trial by fire.

What are you doing now?

I am currently the Climate Justice Intern for the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. I work to create and support programming for MA's ~360 UCC congregations, with the overall goal of empowering them to take action on climate and environmental justice through personal, financial, and political decisions.  A large portion of my position entails giving guest sermons, organizing and participating in events, and writing content for web pages, newsletters, blogs, and the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast.

How did your experience as a Voss Environmental Fellow influence or impact your life after Brown?

As a Voss Environmental Fellow, I realized how important the role of community action was to me. I learned that my skills lay more in the boundary area of science communication than in science itself. My less than perfect experience led me to recognize a calling to ministry, and the journey has served as an amazing life lesson that my employer and mentors are impressed I've had by the tender age of 22.