Derek Russell Email & Phone Number

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Organized and created by Derek, the Creature Conserve Mentorship Program is designed to provide a support system for artists, creative writers, and scientists as they collaborate and explore the human connection to nature, creating new pathways to a healthier world for all animals. Our current list of potential Mentors includes the 100+ individuals in our Creature Conserve Scholars group. All have either received stipend support for an art+sci or writing+sci project, including workshop instruction, or are participants in our two traveling exhibits (“Wildlife Trade and Conservation” and “Urban Wildlife: Learning to Co+Exist.”). The Mentorship program has been a pivotal program for the advancement of Creature Conserve's mission: Give artists interested in science the opportunity to research and respond to the problems facing animals today. Give scientists working in conservation the opportunity to explore the artistic, humanistic, and emotional side of their work. Inspire collaboration among artists and scientists working with animals. Inspire conservation action by bringing artists and scientists together to save species.

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Caught at the intersection between sustainable design and community-oriented urban planning, BriggsKnowles A+D is a Providence, RI based practice recognized for its use of light, color and ecological strategies. Projects range from speculative work on the city to research into the integration of photovoltaic and interactive energy technologies into building surfaces. Recent commissions include the design of three net-zero homes in New England. As an intern and advisor to these various projects, I brought a knowledge of Passive Home Design into the unique elements of the internship; design, 3D and physical modeling, conducting energy simulations, and business administration.

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

The Center for Arts and language is a multi-literacy center housed at the Rhode Island School of Design. I provide weekly tutoring services and mentorship for RISD and Brown University Graduate and Undergraduate students attending to a diverse array of subjects including but not limited to: writing, public speaking, and visual communication. I formerly organized and provided trainings for fellow workers.

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

I served as a researcher for a think tank based at the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, producing timely, accessible and impactful research that informs a more just and effective climate change policy on a national and international scale. Our work has informed many politicians, been cited at the UNIPCC, and inspired articles in high profile publications such as The Atlantic. I am currently investigating climate denial networks in Massachusetts and policy proposals for a New England wide Green New Deal.

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Over the course of eight months, and in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, our team was tasked with conjugating the perceptions of Urban Air Mobility through a series of interdisciplinary projects. Beginning with intensive studies of biomimicry in collaboration with RISD's Nature Lab, we explored the various systems impacted by contemporary mobility. Ranging from homelessness and basic human needs to COVID conspiracy theories, our team assembled a series of speculative futures interrogating the very nature of mobilization in context with forthcoming Hyundai design proposals.

Denver, Colorado, United States

I served as a summer research assistant for an environmentally focused economic policy think tank. I specifically conducted independent research on housing scarcity, by summarizing and analyzing existing literature to provide salient and actionable solutions.