Researcher of the Week: Allison Smock

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:55:24 -0400

Allison is a senior majoring in Spanish, with a Latin American Studies minor, and Law and Justice minor.

Title of your research project: Mexican Feminist Movements and the Role of Social Media: Civic Participation and Transnational Solidarity

Describe your project: How social media can help spread knowledge and awareness of issues important to Mexican feminists and engage participants across borders.

Who is your mentor for your project?

My mentor is Thania Munoz Davaslioglu, Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication. My mentor has been my advisor for my major, I have known her the entire time I’ve been at UMBC! I was very eager to work with her on her next project.

How did you become interested in this project?

This was a topic that was presented to me when I took an Individualized Study class with Dra. Munoz last spring. While researching hashtags on social media on March 8 (International Women’s Day), I noticed events being held in the United States that were inspired by events and movements in Mexico. These featured the same colors, symbols, and hashtags, and oftentimes were advertised in Spanish and held at Mexican embassies or consulates. We wanted to investigate further and expand on this idea!

What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?

This being my second research project, I was used to the general procedures of research. However, this time, I was using social media as my primary tool - which meant I had to sift through more posts than I ever thought possible! This turned out to be the most fun and rewarding part of it, however, as it was amazing to see the amount of people standing in solidarity with each other. It was also the “breakthrough” moment of our project!

What has been the most rewarding part?

Getting to work with my advisor on such an important project and topic. I have known her for years now and I hope she’s proud of me!

How will you disseminate your research?

I will be presenting my research at the National Women’s Studies Association Annual Conference in Detroit, Michigan on November 17, with a Travel Grant from the Undergraduate Research Office. I also really want to bring this project to URCAD this spring!

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?

Please do it! It’s so, so rewarding, and the skills you will learn are ones you will keep for life. Be brave!

What are your career goals?

I hope to be a paralegal, and expand on my legal knowledge. Although, doing research permanently does sound pretty appealing! I will never rule it out.

Be a Researcher of the Week! Contact: aprilh@umbc.edu