Katharine Owens

Dr. Katharine Owens, Professor and Chair of Politics, Economics, and International Studies at the University of Hartford, has dedicated over a decade to environmental education for elementary students. Her "Entangled and Ingested" project engages children in creating life-sized marine mammal murals from plastic waste. While students sew plastic onto canvas backings, they learn about marine pollution and its devastating impact on ocean wildlife. Her impressive installations—including a 60' x 20' sperm whale at Bradley Airport—serve as powerful educational tools. Dr. Owens has extended her work internationally as a Nehru Scholar and continues teaching environmental stewardship at venues like the Durham Agricultural Fair, making complex environmental issues accessible to young learners.