Josie Brown ’26 got a Science Communication Research Small Grant to document how climate policy shapes daily life in Copenhagen.
By McKenzie Leary, Class of ’26
To Copenhagen locals, biking everywhere, tending urban gardens or skiing down slopes atop a waste-to-energy power plant in the center of the city are everyday activities. But for Josie Brown ’26, these scenes are glimpses of international climate policies in action.
Brown is a fourth-year photojournalism student from the UO School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), minoring in legal studies and science communication. Her work as a journalist is strongly informed by her passion for legal policies and the environment. When the opportunity arose to travel to Copenhagen as a part of a UO Criminal Justice in Scandinavia study abroad program, she knew she needed to do everything she could to make it happen.
As a Pathway Oregon student, Brown wasn’t sure she could afford the program, so she began applying for scholarships nearly a year in advance. At that time, she was taking Advanced Photo Journalism with Professor of Practice Torsten Kjellstrand, who encouraged Brown to apply for the Center for Science Communication Research’s (SCR) Science Communication Research Small Grant Program.
“The application was super straightforward,” Brown said. “I asked Torsten Kjellstrand to be my faculty advisor for the project, then I sent in a summary of what I wanted to do, a budget and they approved it.”
The grant, which was $360, made the project possible. It allowed her to develop and scan the film for the project and purchase a backup battery. These materials allowed Brown to develop a photo essay exploring how climate policies show up in everyday urban life.
Before leaving for Denmark on a study abroad trip, Josie Brown ’26 researched Scandinavian climate initiatives. Once in Copenhagen, she carved out time to wander the city with her camera. Through a mix of digital and film images, Brown documented urban gardens, wind turbines, the CopenHill waste-to-energy facility and other examples of climate policy.
Documenting Scandinavia’s climate policies
Before leaving for Denmark, Brown researched Scandinavian climate initiatives. Once in Copenhagen, she carved out time during her rigorous class schedule to wander the city with her camera. Through a mix of digital and film images, Brown documented everything from community-run urban gardens to wind turbines and the CopenHill waste-to-energy facility. The CopenHill facility turns heat and power waste into renewable energy, while also serving as a ski slope, hiking trail and climbing wall.
“I hope my photo essay is a glimpse into Scandinavia’s climate policy and the way it’s integrated into the city,” Brown said. “I think people there don’t necessarily think about it. But for me, being from the U.S., these are things that we don’t have,” referring to the CopenHill ski hill and the urban garden restaurant in the middle of the city.
In Copenhagen, people seem to have a greater commitment to sustainable climate policy, she said.
Financial support available for study abroad
Once she was back in Eugene, Brown created a website where she wove her photos into a narrative that highlights the subtle but impactful ways climate action is embedded in the everyday lives of Scandinavians.
The experience deepened Brown’s interest in environmental journalism and policy storytelling, and she hopes other SOJC students, especially those worried about financial barriers, know that scholarships for projects are available.
“There are ways to make it work,” she said. “My experience was so life-changing.”
Brown’s photo essay will be showcased at the Science Communication Research Forum on Feb. 6, at 1-3 p.m. in the Erb Memorial Union Crater Lake Room. Attendance is free, but registration is required.
McKenzie Leary is a fourth-year public relations major in the UO School of Journalism and Communication, minoring in global studies. She is passionate about creating multimedia narratives, traveling and advocacy. McKenzie loves having the opportunity to share people’s stories and has finished her first novel.