Nhat Linh Dang, Special to The Denisonian–
The spirit of curiosity and exploration filled the Mitchell Center on Sept. 11 as Denison’s Summer Scholars presented the results of research across sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
“There is nothing more exhilarating than realizing ideas you have can go so far,” said Dr. Laura Russell, Department of Communication. “It is just like discovering the unknown but also getting to know yourself better.”
Dr. Russell worked with students this summer on research centered around American home decoration as a symbolic process of self-expression.
At the event, students presented their research on posters, and their peers and staff listened to the stories behind their work and their process of gathering issues and local challenges, others delved into culture, history, and the humanities.
Many of the scholars shared an experience of intensity and excitement while exploring their fields.
Gwen Laber ’27, one of these students, worked on a project that examined barriers immigrant women face in accessing healthcare. She said her team was drawn to the topic because of the impact of the issue.
“Certain communities, immigrant women in particular, experience various barriers in accessing healthcare,” Laber said. “We also noticed that these challenges appear specifically in Ohio, and that prompted our study.”
Research advisors like Dr. Russell believe that the Summer Scholars program benefits the academic community and offers students opportunities to conduct deep research about what they are interested in.
“The semester system we have doesn’t allow us to have that research experience during the school year,” Russell said. “So it is exciting for students to know there are possibilities like these open to them. It’s also good for building relationships outside of classrooms while getting to learn and explore. For me, it strengthens the interpersonal relationships and inspires other students in the community.”
Ben Tran ‘28, Psychology and Journalism double major, agreed that the relationships formed during the summer were just as valuable as the research itself.
“Seek companionship,” he said, advising future scholars. “Independent researchv can be lonesome sometimes, and it is great to seek a community of other scholars even when you don’t participate in the same project. That helps you learn from people who have the same scholarly experience as you.”
The posters presented will continue to be displayed within each department, becoming academic resources for other students and contributing to future scholarship.