Ethics and Value Alignment as an Early Career Scientist

By Lila Alvarado, University of Missouri–Kansas City My summer research experience was challenging in multiple ways. I am grateful for the experience, as I saw incredible geologic landscapes, including an active volcano, got to laugh with and hear the stories of some incredibly kind people, and learned my Spanish comprehension is better than I previouslyContinue reading “Ethics and Value Alignment as an Early Career Scientist”

Beyond the Classroom: Field Research in Costa Rica

By Wren Atteberry, Austin Community College Conducting research and surveying trails in the forests and wetlands of Costa Rica was a truly unique and transformative experience that showed me the side of science I have always dreamed of: one that you can’t attain in a classroom setting. Although things did not always go smoothly accordingContinue reading “Beyond the Classroom: Field Research in Costa Rica”

An Ocean Apart, Speaking the Same Language

By Isabel Ball, University of Missouri–Kansas City (Photo taken at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Italy)  When I applied for funding to conduct research in Florence, Italy, I thought I knew exactly what I was signing up for. I was going to collect concert data, compare musical programming in Florence and Kansas City, write a researchContinue reading “An Ocean Apart, Speaking the Same Language”

Pānī in Patan

By Lily Beckerman, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hi all! This is Lily again, writing from home this time after returning from Nepal. This experience was unlike any other in my life and it has grown me so much as a researcher and student! Networking in a foreign country for research connections, meeting other researchers,Continue reading “Pānī in Patan”

The Lessons Beyond the Lesson Plans

By Landen Broocke, William & Mary I returned from the Balkans just a few days ago, and I am incredibly grateful to be able to look back on what was one of the most meaningful and transformative opportunities of my undergraduate career. I came home with a newfound appreciation for Bosnian coffee (and perhaps aContinue reading “The Lessons Beyond the Lesson Plans”

Researching Resistance and Resilience: Reflections from Ireland

By Brody Blythe Caniglia, University of Washington Hello! I have successfully returned from my trip to Ireland. I’m here to share my experiences and insights that I’ve gained during my travels. As said in my last blog, the purpose of this trip was to learn about Ireland’s resistance and resilience through subjects like art, advocacy,Continue reading “Researching Resistance and Resilience: Reflections from Ireland”

The Koobi Fora Experience

By: Molly Eldridge, SUNY Oneonta After spending a little over a month halfway across the world in a Kenyan desert, I am  back in the United States of America, and able to reflect on my travels this summer. If  you’ll indulge me, I’d love to take everyone on my journeys with me.  As we embarkContinue reading “The Koobi Fora Experience”

How Spain’s 1978 Constitution Reshaped Women’s Political Power 

By Najmussahar Faizan, University of Missouri–Kansas City The Spanish democratic transition of 1978 is that of one of Europe’s most dramatic political transformations. For a nation developing for nearly forty years from Francoist dictatorship, where women lacked legal autonomy, couldn’t work without husband permission, and faced systematic repression, the new Constitution promised something revolutionary: realContinue reading “How Spain’s 1978 Constitution Reshaped Women’s Political Power “

León: My First Week and the Change that Came With It 

By Devyn Gilbert, University of Washington During my first week in Spain, the plan for my research has changed significantly. As I’ve learned about the history of the Spanish Inquisition in León, I have developed a desire to lean more strongly into how religion has influenced migration in Spain. I’ve written field notes at importantContinue reading “León: My First Week and the Change that Came With It “

What Beijing has taught me so far: anything that can heal is good 

By Kaminta Hou, University of California, San Diego Currently, I am in my seventh week of research and am wrapping up the fieldwork portion of my project. As a quick reminder, I am in Beijing conducting an ethnography on how traditional Chinese medicine functions in modern society. So far, I have completed a handful ofContinue reading “What Beijing has taught me so far: anything that can heal is good “