Whitworth Art & Design Professor Embarks on Climate & Culture Mission to Tanzania
“Tuko Pamoja” means “we’re all together” in Swahili and is a program designed to unite those who are passionate about creativity, African studies and climate change.
Creyts has conducted in-depth studies on climate change, with a focus on depicting shifting ecological landscapes through her artwork. Her research on the role of creativity in South Africa and Mexico, two countries where she has led Whitworth’s Jan Term study tours, make her an ideal candidate for this program.
“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to engage with global colleagues, foster creativity in the face of climate change, and contribute to transformative learning,” Creyts says. “I look forward to sharing the artifacts and insights from this journey.”
The program aims to:
• Develop actionable teaching plans integrating environmental and area studies through a decolonial lens.
• Incorporate Tanzania-specific case studies and locally sourced artifacts into U.S.-based curricula.
• Explore the social and cultural effects of climate change on human relationships with wildlife, plants and the arts in an African context.
• Address climate challenges and innovative mitigations, with Tanzania-Zanzibar as a representative microcosm of Africa.
Highlights of the program include field experiences such as snorkeling at Chumbe Island Coral Park, exploring wildlife conservation and the impacts of tourism at Ngorongoro Crater, learning about glacial ablation while hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, and exploring ecology on the vibrant spice island of Pemba.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
