Student research team 2024
Gina Loes
Gina Loes is a graduate student at Simon Fraser University completing her Master of Urban Studies with research interests in social housing and cultural planning.
What is one word, in any language, that inspires you? A Spanish word that inspires me is “hogar”. The direct translation into English is home, household, or hearth, however in Spanish it means more than this. Hogar is derived from the Latin word for fire. Hogar relates to a sense of warmth, belonging, and refuge. It is where loved ones gather and where memories are made. Hogar is modest and humble. It is both modern and ancient. It is shelter, comfort, and connection.
VEERA UUSITALO
In spring 2024, Veera will graduate with a bachelor's degree in sustainable urban development from Tampere University. Veera had an opportunity to spend one semester at Sciences Po Lille, and focused on social sciences.
What is one word, in any language, that inspires you? One word that inspires me in everyday life is "tasapainoilu". It is Finnish and means balance, or more precisely, maintaining the balance while doing something that disturbs it. Tasapainoilu is a way to experience the surroundings, your body, and relations with other people, and it can be a useful metaphor in sustainability transitions as well.
Yingxuan Chen
YINGXUAN is a junior undergraduate student from South China Agricultural University, China. YINGXUAN majors in English and works as a student assistant in the SAGA team this summer. Yingxuan was born in 2004 and can speak Chinese and Cantonese and some Japanese and Korean. “I am so honored to work with all of you.”
What is one word, in any language, that inspires you? The Chinese word 见夏 (jian xia) means embracing the upcoming summer, the original meaning of 见 means see a particular thing, 夏 means summer, but when combining it turns into living for the hope of the great coming and great summer. Summer in China, especially in my region, lasts for several months to create life-long memory. Important activities like graduation. 见夏 contains all my expectation for the coming summer!
Estefania ACERO BUITRAGO
ESTEFANIA is an undergraduate student from Colombia, with a major in sociology. She is excited to work as a student assistant in the SAGA team. Estefania has worked in wetlands projects in Colombia, Indigenous resistance projects in the Ajusco territory in Mexico and has experience in Participatory Action Research (PAR). Estefania has travelled in Mexico, Korea and now Canada, and is so excited to get to know new spaces, nature and people. “I hope to contribute to the transformation of sustainability and language and contemplate the spaces and experiences that I have the opportunity to live here.”
What is one word, in any language, that inspires you? Contemplar (Contemplate) is the word that inspires me. I believe that contemplar is something that is no longer done frequently, we live in a fast, tired society, where immediacy has stolen the moments that really matter in life. So for me contemplating is a form of revolution and peace in the middle of the chaos of all the crises that societies are going through. Also, I believe that contemplation is what has marked those personal moments that have made me who I am today.
Théo CASTAGNET
Théo is a student at ISIT Paris in Intercultural Communications and Translations.
What is one word, in any language, that inspires you? Ambition. Because with ambition, you can do anything!