What went well?
(The progress I made; what was achieved and done)

This week, I conducted an interview with Dr Davide Orsini, a historian and an anthropologist, a Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellow at the Rachel Carson Centre for Environment and Society at Munich, Germany. The interview was conducted online based on a few prepared questions. The interview centred around the question of nuclear wastes and the noncalculable costs of the industry. It lasted for about one hour and thirty minutes as the conversation continued with multiple follow-up questions. These conversations stretched out to the intersectionality necessitated in the nuclear energy discourse. Although I had not mentioned my previous research that focused on how nuclear energy policies coincide with various cultures of a nation and political history, the conversation naturally extended to the intersectionality Dr Orsini found with social sciences. It was a valuable time not only for the article, but also for me to learn more about the history behind contemporary nuclear energy policies around the world. Although nuclear energy may seem like a scientific industry, it also intimately requires emotional and sociological analyses for comprehension.

After the interview, I wrote the second article centring around the conversation. Amongst the various approaches a journalist can take in writing an interview-based article, I chose to quote the interview as I explain the various topics and issues Dr Orsini have discussed. Although there were many important topics that had to be discarded for the article’s focus, I was able to complete the article with the most important key points I wanted to highlight.  

What could have been done differently?
(Things that did not get done and/or could be changed)

I was not able to properly take notes during the interviews as I have planned. Instead, I relied on the recording and transcriptions of the interview thanks to the advantages of an online meeting. Although I did take multiple notes throughout the interview, these were in a cohesive manner for me to remember what I wanted to highlight without returning to the recordings of the interview. This resulted in some complications as I wrote the article, but it was an issue that I know I could not change even if I were to go back in time due to how immersed I was in the conversation.

What did I learn about myself when working with others?
(Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited)

Curiosity was the biggest quality highlighted this week due to the interview process with Dr Orsini. Nuclear energy industry is an interesting subject for me due to the interdisciplinary knowledge required in understanding it. No answer is clear in the amidst of global climate crisis, where both time and sustainability are highlighted. Yet, I found myself to be more curious about the industry as Dr Orsini highlighted multiple points that I have never thought about through his expertise in the decommissioning process of nuclear reactors alongside his historical knowledge. I have found myself becoming more curious and interested about the subject than I had expected myself to be.

What did I learn about leadership?
(Leadership attributes and insights I developed)

This week, I learned the importance of effective communication in the digitalized world. Although I preferred an in-person interview when I planned to conduct an interview, the experience this week taught me how the accessibility of an online meeting allowed me to connect with a foreign scholar and record the conversation accurately. If I did not consider the option of an online interview and valued its advantages, I do not think the interview could have been successful. Moreover, the ability to communicate clearly as questions were spontaneously raised throughout the interview allowed more valuable knowledge to be shared. As a leader, an effective communication not only to move forward, but to brainstorm, share knowledge, and raise new questions is a valuable skill to grow collectively.

What do I want to develop or focus on next?
(What I still need to develop)

Although the six weeks have come to an end, I will require more time to finalize the editing process due to the delays faced in the communication process with my editor and her other responsibilities as she overlooks multiple volunteers and works as a writer herself. As I finalize my works and wrap up the project, I hope to continue a transparent, and effective communication to bring a satisfying result that can have a lasting impact for the audience and the organization. Beyond the project, I also hope to grow as an individual who can make a positive impact.