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Biography

Expected Graduation: 2027
Major: Sociology with an emphasis in Cultural Anthropology and Film & Media Arts
Research Topic(s): Connect the Public to History, Art, and Nature with Walking Tours, Virtual Museum Tours, and Interpretive Hiking Trails
Faculty Mentor Name and Department: Dr. David Trowbridge, History

I started with undergraduate research in an attempt to become more involved with the university outside of my class work and to find work that would have applications after completing my degree.  This search led me to Undergraduate Research, with many different projects to apply for. With the help of Alicen Lundberg, I decided to apply for work with Dr. David Trowbridge. The mission of Connecting the Public to History, Art, and Nature with Walking Tours, Virtual Museum Tours, and Interpretive Hiking Trails felt like a perfect match for my interests as a sociology student.

As an undergraduate researcher, I am responsible for researching different historical locations in the United States and creating entries on Clio. Clio is a database of historical locations, with in-depth back stories which can be viewed on their own or in guided tours of a city. My primary area of research has been locations in the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The entries require me to practice exploring the interconnected histories present in these locations and how they tie into the larger societal and historical fabrics of these cities. They also aim to make the history of these locations, which often span decades if not centuries into concise but informative reading for a general reader. I have explored various aspects of the Twin Cities including religion, immigration, city development, colonization, and much more.

I do undergraduate research because I really enjoy learning more about the world we live in. Whenever I am doing research on a historical place and I discover a niche or unknown piece of history it's gratifying to bring that to light. On top of that, building connections, either to the larger history of Minnesota or the country activates that “lightbulb” feeling. This research also allows me to build practical career experience in my field, which can sometimes be a challenge in sociology. Ultimately, I do undergraduate research as it allows me to engage in my passion for knowledge building, whilst being able to build my experience for the future.