Ayla Fox tells stories through sights and sounds. A modern day storyteller, she shares her work through digital media and owns her own film production company called Shed Light Productions.

With degrees in both film media and wildlife conservation biology, Ayla has blended the two disciplines—working with organizations such as Rhode Island Sea Grant, Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, URI Coastal Resource Center, and The Nature Conservancy.

“In my career, I utilize both degrees on a daily basis,” she said. “The science background allows me to quickly get up to speed when discussing a project with a client, reading through science journals, developing a storyline, or out in the field engaging with researchers. Being able to have a dialogue—and understand each other—is huge, especially when time is of the essence.

Of course, the film component is equally important, she said. “The majority of my clients want to share the amazing work they’re doing with an audience that might not have a firm science understanding. I learned—and continue to learn—about storytelling and communicating information through film and the arts. Whether it’s intellectual or emotional information, the medium of film has the potential to engage an audience on a deep level.”

Ayla is still involved with URI—a current project is to produce a web video series for the Coastal Institute exploring natural coastal resilience. “At times I feel like I’m more involved with URI post-graduation,” she said. “Working with the university has been a total joy, both professionally and personally. I feel honored to be a part of it.”