06/17/2026
Back from Finland!🇫🇮🐦✈️
Dr. Christine Brodsky has returned to campus after her time at the University of Helsinki. This trip came from her collaboration with Ian MacGregor-Fors on urban ecology research. Her work focuses on advancing theoretical frameworks in urban ecology, examining how the term “urban” is defined and applied within the field, and exploring cultural perspectives on how birds are perceived in cities. This trip was supported by the CAFNR International Collaborations Grant.
For Brodsky, the most rewarding part about the trip was having dedicated time to have these big picture discussions we don’t really have.
"Being able to sit down over coffee with colleagues and have conversations about the state of our discipline and how it can move forward is always incredibly valuable. I appreciate those moments to reflect together on the broader philosophy of what we aim to do."
During her visit, she was also invited to present a talk at the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria).
As for her plans over the summer, Brodsky will be observing urban birds in Columbia’s parks. 🌳🔎She is pursuing a paired approach using social surveys and bird surveys to see where there’s alignment.
“Not only are we seeing what birds are using those parks, but we are exploring how people are interacting with birds when they are recreating. Do they see benefits of bird diversity? Do they see birds as contributing to the aesthetics of the park, or do they think they are carrying diseases?”
This paired project is funded by MU’s Research Council.
