Last week, we highlighted Abshire and Hubbard Scholar Awards that are funding spring semester student-faculty research teams in the humanities. This week we look at the student-faculty teams working in the social sciences:
Alli Shinn ’23 is assisting Associate Professor of Sociology and Garrett Fellow Alissa Cordner with research on multiscalar and multistakeholder governance of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of thousands of chemical compounds that are toxic, highly persistent, bioaccumulative and widespread in drinking water and consumer products. Shinn is helping Cordner and her collaborators at the PFAS Lab develop a Washington state case study that focuses on intersections between scales of governance, among types of governance activities, and across multiple stakeholder groups.
Meredith McBranch ’24 and Valjete Hoxha ’25 are contributing to Assistant Professor of Psychology Nancy Day’s research on zebra finch songbirds that investigates how individual genes or groups of genes may influence or impede vocal learning. McBranch and Hoxha are observing and assisting with brain surgeries and electrophysiological recordings, as well as taking an active role in data management and initial data analysis.
Angel Baikakedi ’24, Angela Eliacy ’25, Michael Culbert ’24 and Emily Lockman ’23 are working with Assistant Professor of Economics Sai Madhurika Mamunuru to better understand why having friends with high socio-economic status is good for socio-economic mobility. With a survey of Whitman students’ social network engagement, the team is investigating whether forms of social capital are distributed equitably across campus, whether individuals from different backgrounds form lasting relationships and how varying levels of social capital and connectedness result in job and educational opportunities. The students’ work involves contributing to a literature review, survey construction and data collection.
Lindsey Finocchio ’25 is collaborating with Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology Rachel Nickens on her research exploring the construction of 21st century girlhood. In work that will first be presented at the Pacific Sociological Association Annual Conference in April, Nickens and Finocchio investigate how Girl Scouts of the USA works to “build” girls starting in early childhood. Finocchio is partnering with Nickens to develop a coding schema and complete a content analysis of contemporary Girl Scout Daisy and Brownie materials, with a specific focus on messages about gender, STEM, leadership, careers and the outdoors.
