Meet Avery Nunn | Science Journalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Avery Nunn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Avery, what makes you happy? Why?
From golden retrievers to guacamole to Paul McCartney music…there are so many things in life that make me happy! I’d say what I find as the best blend of fulfillment and happiness is time that I spend in the ocean, especially when it’s with people who I care about. Beyond the pure joy and stoke of surfing, swimming and other oceanic explorations — my career relies heavily on a connection, awareness and understanding of marine life. So it’s important for me to get out there! There isn’t much that I love more than learning and laughing with my friends, partner and family in the sea.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It took a lot of instinct leaning as well as dream following to get to where I am today! I changed my major sooo many times in undergrad. Shortly reluctantly deciding on English (I was told many times that this was not “practical”) I found a love for oceanography and studying marine species, and pondered how I may be able to combine the two. After I graduated I took a backpacking trip down to Patagonia and saw huge, calving, melting glaciers for the first time. It was there that I felt an immediate click of, “I need to find a way to use my career in aiding the planet.” When I got home, I turned some journal entries and photographs into an article and it was published! So I thought…perhaps I can be a journalist?

In graduate school, I finally found my calling. I spent my time at Columbia combining my passion for science with my love of writing and storytelling. Trusting myself to follow what I truly wanted to do was hard, but I really can’t imagine donig aything else. One of the most important lessons that I’ve gathered from my research and writing is the importance in to translating scientific data into a piece that is a fluid and compelling read for an everyday reader. There are endless amounts of researchers and scientific knowledge just waiting to be translated into a narrative for the public eye — particularly as it pertains to environmental sciences and our changing climate.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ocean time! I’d probably have us do a bunch of fun cooking at home (Taco Tuesday is my favorite day of the week) and follow it up with a sunset surf or picnic at Moss Point.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh absolutely! If I could thank every person that I’ve come across I would – because it all lead me here. My professors, family and surfer girl gang have been my biggest sources of support and inspiration.

Website: averyschuylernunn.com

Instagram: @earthyave

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avery-schuyler-nunn-a96bb3149/