Interplay between stars, the ISM and galactic environments on resolved scales

To understand whether star formation is solely dependent on the local conditions of the interstellar medium (ISM), or if it is also affected by the large-scale galactic dynamics, we must probe the small physical scales of star-forming clouds as well as the wider galactic context. I present our optical dust extinction technique with which we study the resolved properties of the extragalactic ISM, since it allows us to image the dust/gas of nearby galaxies at cloud-scales (<10pc) over several kiloparsecs. For our sample of spirals, we find some changes in ISM properties depending on galactic environments and dynamics, with galactic centers showing higher surface densities than the discs whereas arm/inter-arm differences are more subtle. The next step is to understand the interplay between stellar feedback and natal clouds. The advent of JWST has allowed us to unveil the still embedded young star clusters (eYSCs) at unprecedented detail. I will showcase our pilot NIRSpec/MOS study of a representative sample of eYSCs in NGC628, which allow us to characterize eYSCs and their surrounding ISM. Spectroscopy at 1-5um gives us a direct imprint of the mechanisms at work during the cluster emergence phase, probing both the ionizing conditions and extinction (through H and He recombination lines), and photo-dissociation region properties. Additionally, spatial variations of PAH 3.3um emission (with distance to eYSCs) can tell us about the evolution of dust properties as clusters emerge.