By Nancy Wick, University Week
When Lauren Jorelle was a UW student, she went to Indonesia as part of a field study program sponsored by the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) and the UW Department of Psychology. The experience was a good one — so good that she elected to go back on her own to do further research through the Indonesian university the UW collaborates with.
“It’s something I never would have done if I hadn’t participated in the organized field study program,” Jorelle said. “I wouldn’t have dreamed of living in the jungle for a couple of months essentially on my own, with a guide. In fact, if I hadn’t been in the program, I wouldn’t have even known it was a possibility.”
Jorelle’s experience was facilitated by Randy Kyes, research professor in psychology at the UW and head of the WaNPRC’s Division of International Programs. Jorelle later became the division coordinator of international programs at the WaNPRC, and is currently serving as a part-time administrator for Kyes’ latest venture — The Center for Global Field Study.
With the new center, Kyes hopes to expand the programs that made Jorelle’s adventure possible. He’s been conducting collaborative field training programs in Indonesia since 1991, and over time has added programs in Thailand, Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, D.R. Congo, Brazil and Mexico. It all started with his own research.
Read the rest of the story in the UW news release.