MESM 2026
Pronouns: she/her
Bio
Sydney Royal graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee in 2024 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Creative Writing. As an undergraduate, she cultivated a passion for environmental communication as an intern at the Memphis Zoo and at Atlanta's Chattahoochee Nature Center. Later, she became a Lead Teacher at the Amphibian Foundation's Critter Camp in Atlanta, Georgia, which teaches students about amphibian and reptile conservation. She expanded her conservation knowledge during an environmental field study in Namibia, Africa, in which she explored the topic of human-wildlife conflict, and had the opportunity to engage with the Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA). She became interested in how issues in Africa give perspective to similar issues in the United States and was inspired to pursue a master's degree. She is grateful for the opportunity to study at the Bren School, and plans to specialize in Conservation Planning with a focus in Communication. After completing her degree, she hopes to pursue a career in environmental communication and conservation.