What are some of the ethical issues that you are grappling with in your research? What are some of the ways in which you are responding to these questions?

Since my research is so rooted in chemical analysis of products, I personally have not faced many ethical dilemmas. Rather, I feel that my research is enforcing ethics that I believe in and will bring about environmental injustice. Specifically, my research on Skin Lightening Products (SLPs) will expose companies and brands that have legally used loopholes or illegally chosen to market SLPs that do not disclose all their ingredients, which often contain Chemicals of Concern. I hope that my research will raise awareness about the number of products and companies that have chosen to violate safety ethics to improve their customer base and increase profits. 

As you continue your research, have you considered alternative viewpoints in your investigation? If so, how have these alternative viewpoints enriched or changed your project?

As I have progressed through my literature review, I continue to develop numerous ideas on potential research questions other than my current one. For the most part, I have been able to incorporate these side questions into my current project and analysis, deepening the scope of my research. However, I have also had to make the decision to set specific questions aside, as there is only so much analysis I can address in one manuscript. Overall, I've seen my research question and project shift gears and improve in specificity. At first, I felt an internal resistance to changing my project aims; however, I've learned to adapt to these alternative viewpoints and use themes as points to strengthen my research on SLPs.

Where does your research take place? Take a photo of the place where your ideas and investigations are taking place, and post it to the Network!
I am fortunate enough to have a hybrid position due to the nature of my data analysis project. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I like to try different cafes and libraries, while on Tuesdays and Thursday I come up to CUIMC, which I've attached a photo of.