Courtney Smith joined the Pacific Institute as a communications intern in October 2020. She contributes to the communications team by creating and scheduling social media posts, finding new contacts for outreach, and conducting website and social media analytics. “I’m excited to contribute to an organization that tackles water issues from a science-backed approach when discussing water planning and management, as climate change continues to impact water quality and accessibility globally,” explains Courtney.
Courtney has an undergraduate degree in journalism with a minor in French, and is currently working towards a bilingual Master’s of Public and International Affairs from a university in Canada concurrently with a Master’s of International Relations from a university in France. Her research thus far has focused on policy development and implementation in the fields of communication, human rights, and the environment. Through some of her personal travel experiences across 28 countries, Courtney says she has seen water scarcity — including access to safe and clean water for drinking and sanitation — as being “one of the most pressing concerns of our time.” She says she believes this can be managed in a way that accounts for “every individual, community and country, through open and empathetic communication and inclusive policies.”
Courtney says she believes the research conducted by the Institute is “incredibly important” in coming up with achievable sustainable solutions globally. “Water is fundamental for our health and well-being, and is culturally significant for many people. The Pacific Institute is publishing research that makes necessary knowledge available about key water issues that impact not just California, but the rest of the world,” she says. “The information is there… We just need to listen.” She says she is excited to be contributing to the communications team in the hopes that more people will consult the Pacific Institute’s research when developing future water policies.
Courtney joins the Pacific Institute remotely from Toronto, Canada where she enjoys reading, running, hiking, and camping in the warmer months.