Ben Goulet-Scott
Higher Education & Laboratory Coordinator
Education and Outreach
3 Years at Harvard Forest
About Ben
I am a curious naturalist based in Boston, trained as both a plant biologist and an artist, with a deep passion for conservation and education. As the Higher Education Coordinator at Harvard Forest, I manage educational programming for college students, like our Summer Research Program in Ecology, and contribute to the development of new higher education initiatives. I am also responsible for the laboratory, greenhouse, and common garden facilities, ensuring they serve as vital resources for research and learning.
Beyond Harvard Forest, I am the co-founder of Let’s Botanize (@letsbotanize), an educational nonprofit dedicated to addressing the climate and biodiversity crises by reshaping the human relationship with plant life. Through accessible, academically rigorous social media content and interactive workshops, we inspire deeper engagement with the botanical world.
I earned my PhD in evolutionary biology at Harvard University, where I studied the evolution and ecology of native North American wildflowers with Robin Hopkins. My work continues to bridge science, art, and education, fostering curiosity and connection with the natural world.
Learn more about me at www.bengouletscott.com
Current Projects & Research
As the program coordinator of the Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology, I connect college students with research mentors for an 11-week hands-on research experience at Harvard Forest’s 4,000-acre outdoor lab. Students study forest ecosystems and go through the full research process—from planning a project to collecting data to presenting their findings. Students get to work closely with mentors and become part of the Harvard Forest community, boosting their confidence and sense of belonging in science. They make professional connections that can help them launch meaningful careers. About 20 students join each year, living together, sharing meals, going on field trips, forming strong friendships and building community. The program has been running since 1993 and has trained more than 700 students to date.
I also coordinate research internships for Harvard University students. During the academic year as well as the January winter session, Harvard University undergraduate and graduate students have opportunities to work on mentored research projects with Harvard Forest scientists and educators.
What Inspires Them
I am endlessly fascinated by the natural world, and I love supporting and amplifying similar curiosity during the early careers of young scientists.
How they first heard about Harvard Forest
I first visited Harvard Forest as a Harvard graduate student in 2015 and was immediately drawn to the setting, community, and research. In 2021, while finishing my PhD, I worked as the Assistant Program Coordinator for the Summer Research Program in Ecology during its fully virtual year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That experience was incredibly rewarding, reinforcing my passion for mentoring and ecological research. After completing my PhD in 2022, I joined Harvard Forest full-time, excited to continue contributing to this dynamic community.
Their favorite place at Harvard Forest
I love botanizing (looking at plants) on the trails in the Prospect Hill tract.
Fun Fact
I enjoy quilting, and I like to seek out subject matter in the natural history of New England.
