RE Log - Spring 2020

8 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2020 As he explored the seas in his 20s as a gung-ho diver and boat captain, working with the academics and government researchers who hired him out for his practical skills, he encountered ecological problems that had deceptively clear solutions – yet if those solutions required human behavioral changes, they frequently did not happen. As he dived in remote areas across the globe, always engaging with local denizens, Broad came to realize that scientific discovery inspired action only when scientists understood problems in the context of human behavior, and then communicated their findings as skillfully as they had engaged in their research. The more he was exposed to cutting-edge science, the more he came to believe that incorporating the study of humanity and plain writing mattered as much as the scientific breakthroughs themselves. That recognition drove Broad back to a place that did not engage him as a youth: the classroom. Enticed by what he had been experiencing and observing, the once-halfhearted student sought to understand the human dimensions of environmental problems such as overfishing, declining water resources and climate change. As a newly minted member of the United States Cave Diving Team, he enrolled in the PhD program in anthropology at Columbia University. He earned his doctorate at 33, then began a 15-year stint as co-director of the university’s Center for Research on Environmental Decisions. Still connected to Columbia, Broad has authored or co- authored dozens of peer-reviewed scientific papers. He also shares his work via videos, speaking engagements and virtual classrooms, often as part of National Geographic’s speakers bureau. In 2006, he received the RE Founders’ Award for distinguished service to the community. He believes in the power and necessity of storytelling, which, in his view, represents an increasingly critical role for scientists – sharing significant discoveries in a way that will capture the imagination of lay people and, when appropriate, create momentum for political change. Even after several lifetimes of incredible journeys, Broad’s voyaging continues. He still leads research expeditions around the globe, while also exploring vicariously through the innovative projects of the University of Miami PhD students whom he unapologetically pushes outside of their comfort zones. His personal journey doesn’t have an ending, but it’s peppered with, quite appropriately, some terrific stories. Kenny Broad, The Student Broad began his life as a kid explorer, growing up on Miami Beach and learning to scuba dive at 11. He spent nearly all of his free time on the water, in his grandfather’s boat or on small boats with friends. He received an extraordinary education outside the classroom. He and his peers, which included former Ransom Everglades teacher Irene Bustamante ’83 , swam, water-skied, surfed and free dived. They collected and examined sea creatures and dabbled in underwater photography. Remarkably, many in his friend group fashioned successful careers on the water. Daniel “Duffer” Malone ’83 , an RE Hall of Fame swimmer, now serves as one of Hollywood’s pre-eminent marine coordinators; he has worked on dozens of movies. Peter Zuccarini ’84 is a well-known underwater cinematographer; he, too, has worked on dozens of Hollywood productions. James York ’82 has frequently joined them as a camera operator and stuntman. Broad and that trio worked together on the movie Into the Blue , which came out in 2005. A water polo player at Ransom Everglades, Broad did not fare well in his studies. He freely acknowledges that his analytical skills fell short of his exploratory instincts. He describes himself as a C- student. “I was bimodal,” he explained. “I got As in classes I liked, and Fs in classes I didn’t.” A report card from his senior year reflects a losing battle in Math Analysis, where he received, quarterly, a D-, F, D and D+ (and a “1” for effort). His teacher included this handwritten assessment: “Kenny never took this course seriously. I don’t know why he took it all. He’s a charming boy. I wish him luck.” The one skill Broad honed successfully at Ransom Everglades was the art of writing. He always liked stories. He earned a degree in literature from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he enrolled in the College of Creative Studies. In 2019, the college invited him back to give the commencement address. “You need to be able to write well, no matter what field you end up in,” he said. “If you end up in nuclear physics, but can’t communicate clearly, good luck getting funded. It’s the one skill you cannot get away without.” Broad as a senior in 1984.