Project Description
This project examines the historical significance of guano (bird dung) as a global commodity and its lasting impact on contemporary issues such as agriculture, legislation, and global trade. The student researcher(s) will contribute to investigating the evolution of Peruvian guano extraction throughout the 20th century and into the present, focusing on its ecological and social aspects. The goal is to establish a historical continuum from the 19th century to the present. Tasks may include online archival research, literature reviews, analyzing data, and co-drafting sections of a book manuscript. This project offers hands-on experience in interdisciplinary research, data analysis, and academic writing.
Prerequisites
Interest in environmental history, ecology, sociology, and global studies. Interest in academic reading and writing. Familiarity with basic research methods is a plus but not required. Completion of ENV 201 and ENV 202 is preferred but not required. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus but not required.
Special Comments
Project Information (subject to change)
Estimated Start Date: 6/9/2025
Estimated End Date: 7/18/2025
Estimated Project Duration: 6 weeks
Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2
Research Location: Remote
Contact Information: Mauricio Betancourt (email: mbetancourt@wlu.edu)