Eva Knowles
Hometown: Mill Valley, CA
Pronouns: She/her
Why I'm majoring in Urban Studies: I've always been fascinated by cities, especially after attending high school in San Francisco. I stumbled upon the Urban Studies major at the end of my sophomore year after I had already declared a different major. I had struggled to choose a major given my many different interests, so the interdisciplinary nature of Urban Studies really appealed to me. Changing my major was one of the best decisions I've ever made—it has allowed me to pursue my interests in history, sociology, design, geography, politics, literature, and so much more, while also giving me the chance to put it all in practice in ways that serve real communities.
What I like best about Urban Studies: My favorite thing about Urban Studies is the people! I'm constantly inspired by the creativity and drive of the people in my cohort. I've also received so much support from Urban Studies professors, whether deepening my understanding of material, providing me with professional opportunities, or helping me secure funding for my own individual research. There's a strong sense of community within the department that motivates me to continue following my passions.
Favorite class/professor: I've loved so many of my Urban Studies classes that I can't pick just one! For people interested in urban sociology, I highly recommend Michael Rosenfeld's The Urban Underclass. From the history side, I loved taking Doing (Sub)Urban History with Pedro Regalado and Destin Jenkins. And of course, Michael Kahan's Intro to Urban Studies is an enjoyable and highly valuable class for majors and nonmajors alike.
Career Goal/Future Plans: I'm interested in urban placemaking, housing justice, and community-led urban planning. I see myself working for a nonprofit organization that aims to strengthen the social fabric of neighborhoods and counter displacement.
Honors Thesis or other research project: My honors thesis is about perceptions of downtown San Francisco and how they affect place attachment and identity, especially amid narratives of a downtown in crisis. I also do research with Professor Forrest Stuart and Urban Alchemy, exploring organizational impacts on reentry and recidivism.
Other academic interests (major, minor): Minor in Comparative Literature, considering the Sociology coterminal MA program.