Lauryn Cummins

Something About Me

Originally from Marin California, I am a third-year Environmental Studies major pursuing a BA with minors in Spanish, professional writing with a focus on environmental communications, and documentary filmmaking. I plan on pursuing a career in environmental communications, using my writing skills and research background in Environmental Studies to create media that serves to educate the public about difficult concepts. For example, while working with the Coastal Media program, I directed an educational documentary about the harmful effects of this year's domoic acid event on our marine mammals. Along with several notable international films, my film was selected to be screened at the Nature Track Film Festival in Santa Barbara. I have continued to pursue documentary filmmaking, first by representing UC Santa Barbara's Film and Media Studies department at the Giant Screen Cinema Association conference at Universal Studios, and more recently for the Greenscreen program, producing a documentary about the ways that some women, by exercising their expertise as climbers, have forged a unique connection with the environment. In the Fall of 2023 I studied at the University of Barcelona, where I strengthened my Spanish speaking skills; in 2024, I worked at the Air Pollution Control District for Santa Barbara County, developing a new understanding of the Environmental field as an Environmental Planning intern. After graduating, I plan to hone my professional writing skills while also further developing my work in science communications.