Matthew B
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Dalhousie University
Expertise
Graphic design, data science, sustainability, participatory design, information design, sound design, film making, photography, creative writing, user experience design
Bio
University Professor · Senior Mentor · Premiere Capstone Advisor · Capstone Expert "Hey Matt!! I just wanted to thank you for writing my recommendation letter!! I just got into UPenn today on a scholarship and I truly don’t think it could’ve been possible without you and all our work and discussions! Again, thank you so much for helping me learn so much and for your amazing rec letter!!" — Olivia, matriculated to UPenn (2024) Matthew is an interdisciplinary educator and mentor who supports students exploring responses rooted in care to today's biggest ecological, social, economic, and educational challenges. Drawing on a background in design, systems thinking, ecology, creative storytelling, and entrepreneurship, he helps students connect across disciplines and develop research and capstone projects grounded in responsibility and relationship. He is a part-time professor at Dalhousie University, Rhode Island School of Design, and Northeastern University, where he teaches in management, sustainability, storytelling, and community-based approaches. As a mentor, he collaborates with artists, scientists, and designers to develop relational interventions—projects that listen deeply, engage complexity, and nurture possibilities for all life to thrive (both human and more-than-human). — Students accepted to UChicago, UPenn, USC, Parsons & more — 5+ years of university teaching across RISD, Northeastern, Curry, Dalhousie & more — MFA in Graphic Design, Rhode Island School of Design — MSc in Data Science, Brown University — PhD student in Regenerative Education and Entrepreneurship — 90+ students mentored across capstones, research papers, and ventures — AI Fellow, Transformations Community — Co-founder, Unfolding Aliveness — Featured in Harper's Bazaar, London Fashion Week, Apple Music & WWD Expert in the Following Areas: Arts & Media · Design & Storytelling · Sustainability & Social Impact · Business & Entrepreneurship · Regenerative Education At the heart of Matthew's work is a commitment to planetary health, justice, and sustainability. His projects explore how we might cultivate deeper connections with each other and with nature, and design systems that support ecological reciprocity and collective well-being. He is especially drawn to sound and artistic practices that help us listen more closely to the places we live—revealing the often-overlooked relationships that shape our shared future. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Management at Dalhousie University, exploring how we can build more regenerative business enterprises. He has participated in global networks including Transformations Community, ETH Zurich's Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems group, TBA21–Academy's Ocean/UNI, and the Yale Forest Forum. In 2024, he co-founded Unfolding Aliveness, a studio and educational platform exploring storytelling and multispecies justice through sound, place, and field recording. Matthew's mentoring approach is playful, affirmative, and relational. He uses systems thinking, arts-based inquiry, and multispecies engagement to help students connect big ideas to action across disciplines in ways that are responsive to local conditions and potentials. Outside of academic life, he makes music, visual art, and photographs—and you'll often find him playing tennis, running, doing yoga, hiking, or sailing. Student Testimonials: "Matthew has inspired me in so many ways and supported me greatly throughout my time at Crimson. He helps encourage me to put my best work into my project while allowing me to learn more about my interests and have fun. Working with Matthew has been one of the best experiences I've had throughout my journey through High School!" — Kaitlyn "Matt has taught me a lot of new things about the development of a business. He not only knows what he's doing but also makes our lessons a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend him as a mentor as he is wonderful at what he does." — EkaterinaProject ideas
Sustainability and Impact — Food Sovereignty Initiative
Explore how food justice, climate resilience, and community empowerment intersect by designing a neighborhood-scale food sovereignty project in partnership with a local farm, garden, or mutual aid network. Students will investigate the root causes of food insecurity and research urban agriculture models, while building core skills in community storytelling, participatory design, and environmental systems thinking. Over the 10 sessions, students will create a small-scale but high-impact prototype—such as a multilingual public awareness campaign, a seed-saving guide rooted in cultural traditions, or a youth-centered harvest event concept—that can be tested or shared locally. Students will also explore one aspect of ecological repair, such as composting, biochar, or fungi-based soil health strategies, tailored to urban environments. With guided support, they’ll gather information through interviews, site visits (virtual or local), and mapping tools, and use that research to develop a clear project outcome with measurable goals. The project encourages place-based learning and practical creativity—designed to be achievable, inspiring, and grounded in real community needs. Potential Outcomes: Seed-saving zine or guide, poster series, soil restoration toolkit, event pitch deck, food justice map, short video story, impact proposal for local grants.
Business — Rethinking Retail: A Circular Supply Chain Model for Zero-Waste Groceries
Explore how circular economy principles can transform the grocery sector by designing a research-based model for a zero-waste food and household goods store. This project will examine how packaging, logistics, and sourcing can shift from linear to circular systems, with a focus on refillable containers, bulk purchasing, and regionally rooted supply chains. Students will conduct case study analysis of existing zero-waste models (e.g. Loop, Precycle, or local cooperatives), assess life cycle impacts of common packaging methods, and explore partnerships with regenerative farms and producers. Through interviews, secondary research, and basic modeling tools, students will map out a prototype supply chain for a hypothetical store or product line, with attention to environmental, economic, and social metrics. The final paper will include both a literature review and an original systems diagram or strategy proposal, offering actionable insights for circular grocery innovation in a specific community or bioregion. Potential Outcomes: Research paper with systems map, circular supply chain strategy brief.
Arts & Media — Voices of the Living Earth
Create a multi-format storytelling project that explores the changing soundscapes and visual rhythms of biodiversity—making space for the voices of species, habitats, and ecosystems in flux. Rather than focusing solely on extinction or loss, this project invites students to engage in storytelling with nature—as a creative partner and living presence. What does biodiversity feel, sound, and look like when we slow down, pay attention, and co-create across species and mediums? Students may explore one or more expressive forms—such as archival recordings, local interviews, photography, data visualization, or ecological art—to craft a creative work rooted in place and relationship. With flexible outputs and guided support, they’ll conduct original research (field-based or digital), experiment with media that resonates with them, and build a final project that fosters ecological memory, reciprocity, and connection. Potential Outcomes: Photo essay, poetry, podcast episode, short film, interactive sound map, ecological zine, infographic series, soundwalk, data-driven art piece, or multimedia exhibition proposal.
Education – Regenerative Water Literacy for Youth
In this project, students will design an educational initiative that teaches youth how to understand, care for, and regenerate local water systems. Drawing from topics like rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, watershed health, and climate resilience, students will learn how to translate systems thinking into engaging and age-appropriate activities. They'll explore how water flows through both natural and built environments and how everyday choices impact water quality and access. Students will gather information through environmental research, interviews with educators or water experts, and analysis of existing curriculum models. They’ll learn how to create lesson plans, workshop activities, and facilitator resources that are grounded in local context and adaptable across communities. The final product will be a shareable educational resource designed to spark water literacy and ecological awareness in schools, community centers, or youth programs. Potential Outcomes: Research paper, curriculum guide, educator toolkit, interactive lesson plan series, watershed mapping activity set, digital resource hub, school partnership proposal, eco-education zine.
