“The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin… or even different parts of the same continuum, but rather, they are manifestations of the same thing. The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity.”
– Mae C. Jemison
Hi! I’m Dr. Ash.
I’m a writer, an educator, and eternally curious creature. I’ve always been fascinated by the sciences and the way the world works. I’m also deeply passionate about the arts. Paintings, fiction, photography, or film. I’m enamored by any and all expressions of human creativity. In my struggle to find a way to overlap my passions, I became interested in the field of Science Communication. It fits perfectly with my job as the Program Coordinator for Camps at a local museum.
Growing up, I wanted to be the first Bahamian zoologist. I day-dreamed about being a photojournalist for National Geographic while traipsing around the world to study animal behavior. All the while I dabbled in visual art, writing and music. I read voraciously.
I migrated to Canada to study Marine and Freshwater Biology. I still wanted to keep my hand in the art world, so I lived in an art-based residence for my first two years. It was a transcendent experience to live in such a vibrant community. I jammed as many non-science electives into my schedule as I could giving my brain a chance to air out and see things from a different perspective than my science courses allowed.
“Principles for the Development of a Complete Mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses- especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
― Leonardo da Vinci
After getting my Ph.D., I decided to shift my focus from ‘doing science’ to ‘telling people about science.’ I enrolled in a Graduate Diploma of Science Communication, and this was where I finally found an intersection between art and science.
While I learned science in elementary school, my passion, my fascination, my obsession was inspired by informal science communication, the stuff I heard about outside of the classroom. Giant picture books on astronomy and zoology and paleontology, children’s encyclopedias answering every possible question, Bill Nye the Science Guy, the Magic School Bus, National Geographic documentaries, museums and science centres. These were the things that got me hooked on science. I’m excited about being a Science Communicator. My job allows me to inspire the next generation to be science literate. My blog allows me to feed the interests of curious folks my age.
This blog is a place to chronicle my expeditions of curiosity and creativity. A place where I ask unusual questions and answer whatever I can through the primary literature. A place where I can compile what’s new and exciting in STEAM and beyond. A place where I can make strange connections and record them like field notes.
I want to explore the ‘ology in everything.
“All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man’s life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.”
-Albert Einstein