Hi Justin, your project is very impressive and your focus on the Korean diaspora in the U.S. is a very interesting subject to focus on. It sounds like you're operating at the intersections of many disciplines (history, psychology, and religion---to name a few), I think interdisciplinary research often denotes the innovative quality of the research and I am excited to see how you bring your own ideas into this broader conversation of Asian American identities. As you've said this is a very neglected area in academia and I believe your work will be a very impactful contribution!

My research is a part of a larger study on political polarization. Presently, I am writing a case study to investigate if the paper’s thesis resonates with what we observe on the state level. By the end of this summer, I will have finished the case study, depending on what I find I could be interested in writing a paper to summarize my findings. The significance of my research is in how it can allow us to understand the current atmosphere in U.S. politics. This is especially poignant in the abortion debate which has life-altering ramifications but is often plagued by misinformation. As women’s bodily autonomy slips through their fingers and into the hands of the state, we must understand when this process began so that we can work to reverse it. 

Thanks for your insightful addition Valeriya, best of luck with your work as well! 

Hi Shreya, I found your take on ethics in social research to be very similar to my own.  I agree that in handling such issues we must use proper judgment to respect their legacies in our current society. In the social sciences, we have this massive disconnect between the work we are doing and the impact it has on people. But by remembering that our work could shape policy and society, we gain a deeper appreciation for our work which makes it all the more relevant. I'm excited to see how you continue your work with the Justice Lab!

I believe there are many inherent ethical dilemmas involved with historical research. Many of the papers I am reading are from a period in time when the platform to express oneself was afforded to a select few. It can be troubling to use such accounts when I know they are so deeply inherently biased. I try to mitigate this by making disclaimers about the credibility of the speakers, and when focusing on the issue of abortion, I include religious, social, political, and philosophical perspectives. 

As my research has progressed, I have definitely had to consider alternative viewpoints. My understanding of political activity in the past continuously develops as I develop a timeline of events. Sometimes, I will stumble across a paper that forces me to re-evaluate aspects of my argument. Though this can be frustrating, I also feel this reconsideration enriches my research by allowing me to fully-flesh out my arguments. 

Hi Hannah!
I completely agree with what you said about the importance of communication and collaboration. I am also interested in your proposal to consult modern immigration policies to make your research more applicable to modern society. I have needed to find a way to modernize my research and your perspective was very helpful in that regard. Funnily enough, I believe this is a good example of what you were discussing about collaboration. Overall, I am excited to see how your research develops!

My project is very niche, I am focusing on the development of abortion rights in specific states within the U.S. At first I felt a little suffocated by the hyper specificity of my research, but I've come to realize that the implications of my research push beyond my specific focus. By studying local activism and how it affects policy reform, I am operating within a larger conversation that concerns international politics, philosophy, human psychology, economics, and history. This has only been emphasized during my discussion with other Laidlaw scholars where I am surprised to find similarities in our research, despite any differing methodologies and disciplines.  

Ultimately, I have learned that the best way to pursue interdisciplinary research is to facilitate this kind of discussion. Researchers need to understand the motivation for their research and they need to be able to articulate this, when we can do that we can begin to find shared themes and issues within our work and perhaps share our specialized insights. By facilitating an open and candid space for these conversations, we can drive innovation across all fields. 

Hi Tatum, I completely agree with your summary of the leadership workshops. I also came in with a handful of preconceptions that I had to re-evaluate. I enjoy how you discuss the duality of leadership, finding footing within yourself and in your environment, your wording highlights how leadership is essentially utilizing empathy. Your area of research is also super interesting! Your passion for helping others is very much in line with what Pamela described in her workshops and I look forward to hearing more about your work this summer!