Author Archives: Emily Dustman

Don’t Get Too Comfortable: Why Turning Your Research Paradigm Upside Down Sparks Innovation

Don’t get too comfortable…why it’s good to turn your research paradigm upside down… Ever stumble across something that totally changes your former thoughts? It’s like stretching your neurons in a totally new direction and now you have to occupy this new space for a while, fumbling and foraging around. Maybe, for some, it feels more […]

Why Merge Art and Science? The Power of Transdisciplinary Learning

I had the incredible honor of leading an art-science workshop through the Rhode Island NSF EPSCoR program at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. This experience allowed me to combine my passions for art, science, and research to inspire others in a creative yet educational way. At the workshop, we explored the […]

Bread & Puppet: Art as a Vehicle for Activism

This weekend I had the privilege of traveling to see Bread & Puppet, one of the oldest theatre groups in the country. The group’s name is inspired by their distinctive practice of sharing freshly baked bread with aïoli with their audience to foster community and by their core belief that art should be as essential […]

Brand Collabs Aren’t Bold—They’re Boring: The Art World Did It First

Brands embracing “unexpected” collaborations may be the hot trend in today’s corporate world, but let’s be real: this isn’t groundbreaking—it’s repackaging. Not sure what I’m talking about? Have you seen Velveeta nail polish? McDonald’s Crocs? According to Adweek, bizarre brand pairings are on the rise as companies scramble to capture consumer attention. These offbeat collaborations—think Dunkin’-themed Scrub […]

PAINT LOUIS: Breaking Down Barriers

This past weekend marked one of my favorite events of the year—Paint Louis!  Paint Louis is one of the largest graffiti gatherings in the world. This year, artists traveled from as far as Germany, Canada, and Australia to leave their mark on the St. Louis flood wall. The event boasts the Guinness World Record for the “longest […]

On Automation & Filling Gaps

The Great Depression marked a time of widespread hysteria about how automation would lead to mass unemployment. Uhh, sound similar to the headlines today? In the 1930s, American newspapers started publishing about robots and automation. Mass hysteria spread when papers like the Ogden Standard Examiner spread mis/disinformation about a robot named Alpha shooting his inventor […]

AI Revolution: Promise or Peril for Our Data-Driven Future?

Artificial intelligence holds the promise of revolutionizing industries, solving complex problems, and enhancing human capabilities through automation and data-driven decision-making, however, its widespread adoption raises myriad concerns. As AI continues to evolve, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical frameworks will be essential to harness its full potential while mitigating risks and ensuring it benefits society as […]

How can art help us see science differently?

How can art help us see science differently? 🔬 x 🎨 When we think about science, we often picture data, equations, and research papers. But art has the unique ability to bring these concepts to life, making them more accessible and engaging. In a recent project, I led an engaging art-science workshop designed for all […]

Fellow Academics: Advice for Selecting a Graduate Mentor…

🛎 🛎 🛎 Quality Over Quantity: Selecting an Advisor Wisely 🛎 🛎 🛎 If you were not aware, I am now home…back from Georgia. I made all As in my first year as a PhD student, but my funding stream was switched and was a far cry from what I was told I would be […]

Feeding the Imagination

Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to discuss the intersection of art and food systems communication in Katie Sanders, Ph.D.. class at North Carolina State University, and it was truly an enriching experience for all! 🎨🍽️ During my presentation titled, “Feeding the Imagination: Exploring the Fusion of Art & Communication in Food Systems,” I […]