Dr. Natarsha Bates

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Natarsha Bates is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Umeå Institute of Design and the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University. With a background in Biological Art from SymbioticA at the University of Western Australia, she engages in interdisciplinary research that addresses the relationships between olfaction and environmental changes. Bates’ recent projects, including 'Scents of Solastalgia' and 'Scents Consumption,' investigate how microbial volatile organic compounds affect interspecies communication and ecological interactions. Her work emphasizes the significance of olfactory experiences in the context of rapidly changing environments, particularly how these experiences relate to concepts of solastalgia and anthropogenic climate change. She has collaborated with various artists and organizations to produce community workshops and performances, aiming to raise awareness of the ecological crises through sensory exploration. Her research includes exploring olfactory relationships involving lichen and reindeer in Sápmi as climate change affects their interaction. Bates is committed to using decolonial research methods to understand these complex systems.

Research Interests

Experience

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

2023-08-21 — 2026-08-21

Umeå Institute of Design • Umeå, Sweden

Conducting research on olfactory interactions and their implications for ecological and social dynamics.

Requirements for Umeå University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:2.5
IELTS
Listening
Required:5.5
Reading
Required:5.5
Writing
Required:5.5
Speaking
Required:5.5
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Writing
Required:20
Total
Required:90
PTE
Overall
Required:62
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in relevant field At least 90 ECTS in the main subject area
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree certificate
  • Transcripts of records
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Copy of passport
  • Letter of Motivation (certain programs)
  • CV (certain programs)
Specialization Notes

Requirements are standard for Master's programs across Social Sciences and Humanities at Umeå. English 6 proficiency is the general rule.