SEA Semester scientist Emily Burke has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship Award.  Emily will use her award to explore the rugged coastline of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, described by the National Park Service as a place “where the ice age lingers.” Her proposal is titled “Canvas and Ice: A Sailing Study of Alaska’s Changing Fjords.”

As his research draws to a close, Jonathan Harris, C-112, winner of the 2019 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship, has posted additional coastal photographs and information on his project website, “Pirates, Blockades and Commerce: an expedition to explore the maritime history, fortifications, and lighthouses of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.”

The expedition continues!  Jonathan Harris, C-112, winner of the 2019 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship, has added a number of blog posts and photographs chronicling his ongoing research project, “Pirates, Blockades and Commerce: an expedition to explore the maritime history, fortifications, and lighthouses of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.”

Jonathan Harris, C-112, winner of the 2019 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship, continues his research along the Gulf Coast as part of his project, “Pirates, Blockades and Commerce: an expedition to explore the maritime history, fortifications, and lighthouses of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.”

Jonathan Harris, C-112, winner of the 2019 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship, has begun research on his project, “Pirates, Blockades and Commerce: an Expedition to Explore the Maritime History, Fortifications, and Lighthouses of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.”

Jonathan Harris, C-112, is the winner of the 2019 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship. Jonathan, a geologist and former SEA crewmember, is an education and outreach coordinator at Mississippi State University. Harris was selected from a field of 13 applicants.

SEA Semester alumnus Michael Jacobson (W-72), the recipient of the 2018 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship award, recently traveled to southern Taiwan to document the indigenous Tao people’s traditional boat building and fishing culture.

I went to Taiwan and Orchid Island to learn about a tribal fishing boat and I came back deeply appreciative about how small the world is, how generous and wonderful people are, and a sense of awe for the indigenous people of Taiwan.

SEA Semester alumnus Michael Jacobson (W-72), the recipient of the 2018 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship award, recently traveled to southern Taiwan to document the indigenous Tao people’s traditional boat building and fishing culture.  This is his third update.

I am already on my way home from Taiwan.

After witnessing the Paiwan shaman, I got a chance to go to an old Paiwan village with slate houses called Lao Qijia. The tribe moved due to landslides from typhoons and I got to meet their chief who talked about the challenges faced by her people.

SEA Semester alumnus Michael Jacobson (W-72), the recipient of the 2018 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship award, is currently in southern Taiwan documenting the indigenous Tao people’s traditional boat building and fishing culture.  He recently sent us his second update on his activities.

Update: I have left Lanyu and have been in the southern part of Taiwan. I learned so much about the current boat culture on Lanyu and how the tatala still retains a singular status for individuals and families. I was able to participate in four fishing summoning ceremonies, two tatala launching ceremonies, and even went out fishing for flying fish one night using lights to attract them.

SEA Semester alumnus Michael Jacobson (W-72), the recipient of the 2018 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship award, is currently on Orchid Island, southeast of Taiwan, documenting the indigenous Tao people’s traditional boat building and fishing culture.  He recently sent us a brief update on his activities.