Laura Zwicker is completing a Ph.D. at Yale in the communications of climate science. Her research focuses on how to communicate with those who are skeptical about climate change, and she has conducted fieldwork in Appalachia to better understand and bridge these divides. However, with less than a year left, in October Laura experienced a total funding loss due to federal education cuts, preventing her from completing her degree. While she continues to work part-time, without the expected funding from Yale, she can no longer cover her living expenses or travel to conduct her research, and student loans are not an option at this stage. The academic writing and research work that previously supported her is also drying up due to the rise of AI.

I have created this fundraiser because Laura has been a cherished part of our extended family for over a decade, and the work she has done and will do is important to us all. Long estranged from her biological family, Laura has shown remarkable resilience and determination, supporting herself through undergraduate studies and her Ph.D. program. Over the years, we have watched her overcome significant trauma and reach ambitious milestones, always driven by her passion to make a difference in the world.

We are asking for your help to ensure Laura can complete her field research in Appalachia and graduate with her doctoral degree. Supporting Laura is an investment in the future of climate science communication, and we believe she is destined to do great work in this field. Any contribution, no matter the size, will help her cross the finish line and continue her journey to make a real impact. Thank you for considering a gift to support Laura at this critical time, and please share her story far and wide!