Hi! My name is Carly. I am a first-generation, non-traditional student. I just finished my Master's degree at the University of Kentucky, and I have been accepted into a Ph.D. program at Cardiff University.

Impacts of my research:

For my Ph.D. research, I will be looking at alternative pet food movements which emerged from consumer concerns about food safety and destructive food systems. I will trace the supply chains of alternative proteins (insects, cultured meat) to see how producers inform consumers and create markets based on their product's social and environmental impact. I will also identify intersections with human food systems.

My research aims to bring awareness to pet food's environmental and social impacts to encourage policy change. Many people do not know that, based on assumed calorie consumption, pets contribute to about 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, and fossil fuel use caused by animal agriculture (Okin 2017).

My research also addresses environmental injustice, which is exacerbated by animal agriculture. Communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by the environmental impacts and the working hazards of factory farming (PSC 2021).

Finally, this study explores alternative proteins and changing technologies that farmers are using to sustainably compete in the market, creating entry points for non-traditional farmers and encouraging diversification of protein production.

United Kingdom Research and Innovation has offered to fund the PhD research! However, moving to the United Kingdom is quite pricey, especially with my dogs.

About me:

I have worked in the veterinary field for over ten years, and animal health has been my life-long interest (domestic and non-domestic). Throughout my 20s, I became increasingly concerned about climate crisis while long-distance backpacking and small-scale farming in the summers. Consequently, I decided to go back to school to address my concerns, where I learned about social injustice. My awareness grew during my time volunteering in Nicaragua and Ecuador. I began studying food in the discipline of geography, which allowed me to connect all my interests.

I have two wonderful dogs: Liam Clancy and Townes. As you can tell from my research, animals are essential to me, and therefore it is crucial that they make the journey with me. Not only are they my companions, but they have been necessary for my recovery from my mental health disability. Townes is currently a service dog in training (SDiT). But airlines and the UK do not consider SDiTs service dogs and do not have the same rights.

Future Goals:

I want to apply my education and personal experiences, returning to community college as a tenured faculty member and inspiring students to continue in STEM the way my professors inspired me. I never imagined going to a university, but with the encouragement of two faculty members, I applied and was accepted to University of Washington and they continue to mentor me in graduate school. Community college is a unique institution to reach students from diverse backgrounds, and as non-traditional student living with a disability, I am in an exceptional position to connect with and understand students that face obstacles to education.

Where the funds will go:

It is expensive to fly dogs into the UK, so I plan to fly to France and take the chunnel to England. I expect the cost breakdown to be:

My flight: $500

Cargo hold for dogs: $400

Veterinary costs: $500

Train from Paris to chunnel + taxi in chunnel + train from England to Cardiff: $500

Visa and health insurance: $1200

Total: $3100

I plan to work all summer to save money, so I am not asking for the total amount. With bills and finding a place to live when I arrive, I will need extra help, so I humbly ask for donations to support my journey and this research.

Thank you so much for considering! I also want to thank my friends and family for the unending support throughout this journey!