Explorer.Researcher.Educator.
About
Rebecca is a National Geographic Young Explorer who works in Peru and Canada on projects related to Indigenous health and anthropology.
From 2013-2016 Rebecca was a researcher with the Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change (IHACC) Project in Peru and Canada. Afterwards, as a fellow with the MaRS Studio Y Leadership Fellowship she worked on applying human-centered and empathetic design practices to Indigenous health advocacy in Canada.
In 2014, Rebecca was awarded a Young Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, and funding from the Explorers Club, to support her independent research in the Peruvian Amazon. Her work looks at how Indigenous Amazonian perceptions of health and well-being relate to spiritual beliefs, and what this means for the design of health interventions.
Rebecca's most recent project 'Environmental Disasters; Human Consequences' looks at the cultural and health effects 2016 oil spills have had on Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon. The project combines journalism, anthropology and photography to share the human stories often forgotten during environmental disasters.
Photo Credit: Jen Shook Rochefort
research AND EXPLORATION
PROJECTS IN PERU
National Geographic Unique Lodges: Exploring the Amazon and Andes with Inkaterra
- Various presentations and media engagmenet - instagram, FB live, with Inkaterra and National Geographic
Journalism: Environmental Disasters; Human Consequences. Coverage of 2016 Peru Oil Spills.
- Featured in 2018 Colombia oil spill coverage by National Geographic, March 2018
- Investigative piece for Mongabay.com, co-authored with Kevin Floerke, July 2016
- Commentary for Global Health Now, co-authored with Kevin Floerke, July 2016
- Featured writer on National Geographic Explorer Voices Blog, April and September 2016
Anthropological Consulting:
National geographic research 2014-2015
"Its spirit is strong": Shawi spirits, healers and diarrhea in the Peruvian Amazon. 2015.
- Research Poster - Awarded 'Best Contribution to Global Health' Prize
- Research summary in Spanish
DESIGN
Learn more about design and systems change work in Indigenous health and education with the University of Toronto Medical School.
EDUCATOR
While undertaking projects in Peru and Canada, Rebecca acts as an educator on international gap year semester and summer leadership programs for high school and college students.
Current programs:
Outward Bound Canada -Urban Instructor, Toronto, Ontario
Programs led:
Tim Horton Children's Foundation - Program Facilitator, Canadian Rockies, Tim Horton Children's Ranch
Carpe Diem Education - Peru and Ecuador, South America Semester, Fall 2016
Amigos de las Americas - Barranquilla, Colombia 'Global Health & Social Transformation', 2016; Cotopaxi, Ecuador 'Youth Entreprenureship', 2014
National Geographic Student Expeditions - Peru Community Service, 2015
WORKS IN PROGRESS
cURRENT PROJECTS
National Geographic Grant for 2017-2018. More information coming!
Project Updates
Follow @becswolff on twitter and instagram
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RT @antonellawilby: Sad but informative article on the long-term environmental and health impacts of oil spills (s/o to anthropology ba… https://t.co/j8t7Mbp6mR
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RT @NatGeo: It's the worst environmental disaster that Colombia has seen in decades, and the number of barrels spilled is still… https://t.co/iGxPxjAnlj
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RT @spectacularNWT: #SpectacularNWT is full of mystery & 2017 is the year to explore it. For #Canada150 we're sharing 150 #NWTSecrets… https://t.co/JbkskwYdRX