George Mason University: For This Undergrad, Researching Her Own Project Was A Surprising—And Rewarding—Experience

Chantilly VA

27 April, 2022

6:47 PM

Description

Press release from George Mason University: April 26th, 2022 To many, the idea of performing original research is reserved for professors and graduate students who have the time and tools to do the deep dives into a topic necessary to produce a peer-reviewed paper for publication. The Schar School of Policy and Government—and George Mason University in general—has a different idea: Undergraduates who present promising and viable projects are supported through a number of programs that teach how to perform advanced research using sophisticated tools—some of which are normally available only to master's and PhD students—and to complete their studies with the assistance of professors. These are opportunities more students should know about. Case in point: "I was not sure if I wanted to do research before I came to Mason," said Schar School freshman Nylah Mitchell. "I only became involved with research when [Associate] Professor [Jennifer N.] Victor mentioned in class about her own undergrad research projects involving [Congressional] caucus and member attributes collection" using student voluneers. Inspired by the idea of doing her own research on her own passion project, the government and international politics major from Alexandria, Virginia, found herself in the Schar School's Undergraduate Research Assistance Program, or URAP. In addition to aiding Victor in her study of legislative caucuses, Mitchell, with the help of professors, dove into her own field of study—state legislation regarding the perceived penalties of menstruation. The fruits of her work were recently presented during the Schar School's annual Research Fair, an event at Mason where 15 Schar School undergrad teams presented posters depicting the results of their URAP projects. Mitchell's poster, "Pink Taxes and Period Poverty," included the team of classmates Shafuq Naseem, Lexi Alease Wilson, Rosemary Obinim, Ava Florentyne Kuch, and Natalia P. Medina. The faculty advisor was Associate Professor Bonnie B. Stabile, who also serves as associate dean of student and academic affairs and director of the Gender and Policy (GAP) Center. Mitchell was heartened to find that she was not alone in addressing the subject of menstruation. In fact, "I was incredibly surprised by the number of classmates who are also interested in the same subject as I am," she said, "and how I am able to discuss such topics with them." One of her favorite aspects of performing her own original research is attending Victor's Politics Research Lab meetings. Each week Mitchell finds herself in the company of other student researchers "who share resources and opportunities for other members," she said. At those meetings, Mitchell is likely to encounter others who work with, including several PhD students—another unexpected bonus of performing her own research. How does she do it all—a full load of courses, independent and group research—and do it successfully? Actually, it's the opportunity that drives her. "One piece of advice I would give to a new student is to explore everything," she said. "It is OK to not know what you want to do when you arrive. I, in fact, have changed my major twice before I committed to government and international politics." But clearly, she found a home at the Schar School. Additional reporting by Buzz McClain, Schar School of Policy and Government. This press release was produced by George Mason University. The views expressed here are the author's own.