Researcher of the Week: Markele Cullins
Putting the Queer in Afrofuturism
Markele Cullins will earn his BFA in Visual Arts, Intermedia in 2019. He recently received a UMBC Undergraduate Travel Award to present his research at the 29th Annual Conference of the Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association.
Title of your research project: Filling the Void: Putting the Queer in Afrofuturism
Describe your project:
Afrofuturism is a concept, theoretical framework, and movement that incorporates the re-imagination, restructuring, and re-visioning of Blackness throughout the African Diaspora. Author Ytasha Womack defines it as an intersection of imagination, technology, the future, and liberation. Some examples of Afrofuturist artists include Janelle Monae, Sun Ra, and Samuel Delany. A founding literary figure of this movement is Octavia Butler, who was the author of this year’s UMBC New Student Book. Filling the Void: Putting the Queer in Afrofuturism is a project that looks at the ways queer individuals of the African Diaspora are partaking in Afrofuturism through a variety of mediums. The project looks at media analysis, internet culture, and pop culture as a call to action for more individuals to think about queerness fits into the sector of afrofuturism.
Who is your mentor for your project?
Dr. James Smalls, Professor and Chair of Visual Arts
How did you find your mentor? Why did you choose them?
I took ART 329: Afrofuturism with him and that’s how met! As someone who helped me achieve a greater understanding and interest of Afrofuturism it only made sense for him to be my mentor.
How did you become interested in this project?
I became interested in this project through the readings we would do in class. Afrofuturism was something I was already interested in so I was so excited to join the course. But when the readings would mention queerness as it relates to Afrofuturism, I was a bit disappointed that a lot of them didn’t dive into the complexities as it relates to the queer body and aesthetic.
What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
The hardest thing about my research is keeping up with the field. After I wrote my initial paper I learned about a lot of Afrofuturist literature through youtube user Onyx Pages. Thanks to her, I’ve been reading and learning more about the field and that there are other communities interested in Queer Afrofuturism.
What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding is working with Afrofuturism, a concept that is expansive and fluid and learning about myself and my art through this process. Another huge reward is to see how many other people are interested and involved into the topic.
How will you disseminate your research?
I presented my research at the 29th Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association on November 9, 2018 at the Lord Baltimore hotel!
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
My advice is to be as thorough, innovative, and creative as possible.
What are your career goals?
I want to continue to work in art and design while doing organizing and academic research.
For more information about the UMBC Undergraduate Travel Awards program, or to be featured as a Researcher of the Week, email
aprilh@umbc.edu.
At IMET, we hope to prepare graduate students for a wide range of careers, including in academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and government. Working and studying at a university, students are exposed to the world of academia. The REEF program has helped students to envision and explore a career in entrepreneurship. In this piece, alumna Olivia Spicer speaks about her experience starting a job in government, at the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Olivia Spicer graduated from IMET in December 2016, after earning her Ph.D. in the lab of Dr. Yonathan Zohar. In the months leading up to her graduation, Spicer applied to the Presidential Management Fellowship, which places individuals with advanced degrees in federal agencies for two years. After being accepted to the fellowship, she began working as a program analyst at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The thing Spicer likes most about her work is how directly it is tied to people. At NIH, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Neuro-Biobank, which manages the distribution of post-mortem human tissue for neuroscience research. This program is integral for advancing our understanding of neurological, developmental, and psychological disorders.
Spicer highlighted one of the differences between working in academia and working with this program and NIH. “I get emails from people who have loved ones who are about to pass away and they want to donate their brain,” she said. “You don’t deal with such high emotion things in academia. It’s different, but it’s very rewarding.”
Some of the other differences Spicer encountered as she moved from academia to a government position were more prescribed policies and procedures and a more regular schedule, which she says definitely has its benefits. Despite these differences, Spicer’s education at IMET does help her in her work.
“Working in Dr. Zohar’s lab taught me how to be independent and think on my feet, to not just think about what you’re doing, but also about how it applies down the road,” she said. She added that many of the skills necessary to complete a Ph.D., such as organization and time management, are easily transferable to working in government.
Another benefit of working in Dr. Zohar’s lab was being able to interact with people outside academia. Since research in the Zohar lab is applicable to the aquaculture industry, Spicer had the opportunity to meet with visitors from the private sector. She hopes that other students have the opportunity to meet with people who have chosen a variety of paths after completing advanced degrees.
“When you go to grad school, you’re in academia and a lot of people choose academia because it’s what they’re used to, but I want people to know that there are so many opportunities with higher level degrees in the sciences to take that knowledge and apply it elsewhere,” she said. “The world in so many aspects needs people with Ph.D.s.”
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At IMET, we hope to prepare graduate students for a wide range of careers, including in academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and government. Working and studying at a university, students are...
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Marine Biotechnology
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Mon, 12 Nov 2018 10:26:24 -0500
Today is the day!! Clarify your views on cyber security!!
No lunch? Don't Sweat! We will provide PAPA JOHNS PIZZA!!!
Dear UMBC undergraduate students and respective faculty,
The day is finally here! We hope to see you in ITE 459, from 12pm – 2pm.
DON’T MISS THE ISSA EXCLUSIVE with Steve Chan: Steve Chan serves as the Vice President of the ISSA Central MD chapter and has a master’s degree in computer science from John Hopkins. ISSA Central MD won chapter of the year in 2017! Mr. Chan has numerous insights about many government agencies AND has worked for tens of big name conglomerates over the years. We will provide Papa John’s Pizza and Desserts.
Event Title: A life in Cybersecurity- lifestyle and implications:
Monday, November 12th 12-2pm in ITE 459.
Event Link:
Resources/Handouts for reference in Mr. Steve Chan's Presentation:
~Your ISSA Executive Board
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Dear UMBC undergraduate students and respective faculty, The day is finally here! We hope to see you in ITE 459, from 12pm – 2pm. DON’T MISS THE ISSA EXCLUSIVE with Steve Chan: Steve...
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Information Systems Security Association, UMBC Chapter
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Information Systems Security Association, UMBC Chapter
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Mon, 12 Nov 2018 09:50:24 -0500
commonvision is hiring Graphic Designers!
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
We’re looking for students who are comfortable working in:
Illustrator CC+
Photoshop CC+
InDesign CC+
Bonus Points If:
You have experience in pre- and post-production print, or any other kind of printing skills
You have interest or experience with animation/motion design
You can get super nerdy about typography
You have an interest or experience in photography
Your personality is along the lines of:
Non-negotiables:
Be highly dedicated & organized
Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
Must pass a judicial check
Must have at least 2 semesters left
Must be able to work at least 10 hours a week
Be an undergraduate student
Please submit a:
Cover letter
Resume
Two references (name and contact information is fine)
Screenshot of your fall schedule
Your unofficial transcript
Your portfolio (if not indicated on resume)
via UMBCworks. Anything you are not able to submit there please e-mail commonvision@umbc.edu with the subject line “commonvision Designer Application Winter 2019”.
This position would start January 2019.
Please submit an application via UMBCworks
For best consideration apply by November 25th by 11:59PM.
]]>
commonvision is hiring Graphic Designers! GRAPHIC DESIGNER We’re...
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Visual Arts Undergrads
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Mon, 12 Nov 2018 09:23:34 -0500
commonvision is hiring Animators!
ANIMATOR & MOTION DESIGNER
ANIMATOR & MOTION DESIGNER
commonvision is looking for students who are comfortable working in:
After Effects CC+
Illustrator CC+
Photoshop CC+
Bonus Points If:
You have experience with Premiere CC+
You have experience with Maxon Cinema 4D
You have an interest or have basic graphic design principles
You have an interest or have experience in video/film
You have an interest or experience with sound editing
You have an interest or experience in photography
Your personality is along the lines of:
Non-negotiables:
Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
Must pass a judicial check
Must have at least 2 semesters left
Must be able to work at least 10 hours a week
Be an undergraduate student
There
is no required level of animation class you must have taken to be
considered--just show us your work! This is an on-campus job that works
with your class schedule.
Please submit a:
Cover letter
Resume
Two references (name and contact information is fine)
Screenshot of your fall schedule
Your unofficial transcript
Your portfolio and/or a demo reel (if not indicated on resume)
via UMBCworks. Anything you are not able to submit there please e-mail commonvision@umbc.edu with the subject line “commonvision Animator Application Winter 2019”.
This position would start January 2019.
Please submit an application via UMBCworks
For best consideration apply by November 25th by 11:59PM.
]]>
commonvision is hiring Animators! ANIMATOR & MOTION DESIGNER...
http://commonvision.umbc.edu/
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Visual Arts Undergrads
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Mon, 12 Nov 2018 09:21:58 -0500
