Brandon Ray

Brandon Ray is a recipient of the Academic Year 2016-2017 Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship. The award provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students with financial support to develop fluency in less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) and expertise in the regions in which these languages are spoken. Every year the Center for Global Studies awards between 12-15 fellowships to UW students. Click here to learn more.

I am a concurrent Master’s candidate in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs and the Jackson School of International Studies (Global Studies). My research and academic work is currently focused on climate and energy security in the Arctic, having recently completed my Master’s degree in atmospheric science examining Arctic sea ice predictability. Upon entering this program, I had already engaged in one year of Russian language study at the University of Washington while completing my previous Master’s degree.  I am supported by the Global Studies FLAS to continue my Russian language studies during the academic year. My goal is to use the advanced grammar, reading, and writing skills I am learning to transcribe Russian government policies for a comparative analysis of energy policies – particularly with respect to the transition from oil/gas-based economies to clean energy (in light of recent Joint statements between the U.S. and Canada and between the U.S., Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Denmark).