I am a non-traditional student studying journalism and environmental studies at the University of Kansas. I will graduate in fall of 2025.

I am the recipient of the 2025 James Mark Pittman Memorial award for investigative journalism, awarded by the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at KU.

One of the highest compliments I’ve ever received was when a professor described me as “endlessly curious.” It’s not only accurate, it describes my entire modus operandi.

My journalistic interests lie in the areas of ecology, restoration and conservation work, data journalism, and science writing.

When I am not studying or writing, I like to play ice hockey, lift weights, read detective novels, work in my extensive native plant garden, travel, cook, and spend time with my wife and rescue dogs.

Please reach out and say hello:

erin [ dot ] socha [ at ] ku [ dot ] edu

Find me on X: @ErinRSocha