Panel 53: Identity Within Community: Conducting Self-Directed Research
Independent research provides individuals an opportunity to apply the skills they've learned in the classroom to create their own curriculum and explore passions not yet on any syllabi. Our panelists dedicated their summers to researching populations whose experiences have gone under-examined by society. Angel investigated changeling children and neurodivergence, focusing on the challenges of researching difficult topics. Axis released video essays on YouTube that approached some of his favorite fictional franchises through marginalized lenses, from imagining nonbinary Pokémon to exploring how western fantasy franchises have historically coded dwarves as Jews. Yakira adapted her research on community formation in San Francisco's Chinatown and The Richmond into photo essays and soundscapes. J worked with a nonprofit to research and create a curriculum about nonmonogamy. Belinda conducted archival research on Mount Holyoke alums to determine how a Mount Holyoke education influenced their careers. We hope you'll join us!
Moderator: Eleanor Townsley, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Sociology and Director of Nexus & Nexus Track Chair for Journalism, Media, and Public Discourse
The Changeling Child and Neurodiversity
Angel Fox ’26, English major & Journalism/Museums, Archives and Public History Nexus
The Red Thread, A Study of Chinese Cultural Spaces in San Francisco
Yakira Sameth ’25, Spanish major & Mathematics minor
Creating Video Essays for YouTube
Axis Familant ’25, Psychology major & English minor
Mount Holyoke Firsts: A Summer of Politics Research
Belinda Mazzaferro ’25, Politics major & Education major
Affirming Nonmonogamy
J Farrington ’26, Psychology major, Gender Studies minor, & ASL Certificate
Speaker name: Sophie Dalton
Title: Translating Knowledge; My Experience at Groundwork Hudson Valley
This summer, I was a Communications and Community Engagement Intern at Groundwork Hudson Valley, an environmental justice organization in Yonkers, which engages residents to promote long-term, social, economic, and ecological renewal to enhance the quality of life in urban neighborhoods. In this presentation, I will reflect on some of my internship’s key themes, such as; the intersection of environmental justice and social justice issues, creating social media content for a nonprofit, and my experience translating “hard science” into accessible community engagement materials. By highlighting these themes, I hope to illustrate a robust experimental-based opportunity that will prepare me for future career opportunities.
Speaker name: Sophie Dalton
Title: Translating Knowledge Into Direct Action, My Experience at Groundwork Hudson Valley
This summer, I was a Communications and Community Engagement Intern at Groundwork Hudson Valley, an environmental justice organization in Yonkers, which engages residents to promote long-term, social, economic, and ecological renewal to enhance the quality of life in urban neighborhoods. In this presentation, I will reflect on some of my internship’s key themes, such as; the intersection of environmental justice and social justice issues, creating social media content for a nonprofit, and my experience translating “hard science” into accessible community engagement materials. By highlighting these themes, I hope to illustrate a robust experimental-based opportunity that will prepare me for future career opportunities.
Speaker name: Angel Fox
Title: The Changeling Child and Neurodiversity
Our fairy stories have evolved over time to become more inclusive of the changeling child, so why has our modern-day not followed suit? Through an extensive review of literature, folklore of the British Isles, and historical religious texts, I sought to understand how the treatment of neurodivergent individuals reflected on society’s view of those with differences to better understand how to create a more inclusive society. With a focus on the changeling child and the implicative comparisons to autistic children throughout history, I followed the shifting narratives from the 1100’s until today. I address how people have interacted with those that are different and the kinds of mythos that evolved around those divergences. I utilized LITS to conduct research and collected materials with the assistance of a research librarian. I kept extensive notes, an annotated bibliography, and created an outward facing presentation advocating for inclusivity with guidance from my advisor.
Speaker name: Lia Di Lisio
Title: Case Management and Emotional Support: My Time at the City Bar Justice Center
I interned for a social worker at the City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) in Manhattan, where New Yorkers struggling with poverty and socioeconomic barriers can seek free legal expertise. I supported the only social worker on staff by conducting needs assessments and providing 30+ clients with referrals, resources, and emotional support. I communicated on behalf of clients for social services and compiled a list of resources in the New York City boroughs, which was distributed to clients and staff. In my presentation, I’ll describe how I acquired my role by applying to a graduate-level position, what CBJC does, what I learned, and where this experience falls into my goals for the future.
Speaker name: Yakira Sameth
Title: The Red Thread, A Study of Chinese Cultural Spaces in San Francisco
“I investigated the global context of how immigrant communities create cultures through an independent creative project. As a transracial adoptee, I sought to reorient myself in Chinese cultural spaces. Through field recordings, visiting museums, and documenting the architecture of San Francisco’s Chinatown and The Richmond, I developed skills in time management, self-directed research, and problem-solving. I observed how tourist shops presented a manufactured Chinese identity on Grant Street, while Chinatown residents established authentic roots behind closed alleyway doors, revealing tensions in cultural representations. Community rapport thrived around commerce on Stockton and Clement Streets. I synthesized my research in a soundscape and photo essays reflecting each neighborhood. My presentation delves into the process of organizing an independent creative project, transforming my initial proposal into a tangible final product. I reflect on the challenges of staying flexible, cultivating productivity, and fostering motivation.”
Speaker name: J Farrington
Title: Affirming Nonmonogamy
J Farrington (they/he) is currently pursuing a BA in Psychology and Gender Studies at Mount Holyoke College. They spent the past summer as an Education Intern at the Center for Positive Sexuality, where they researched the ways that clinicians can create affirming spaces for nonmonogamous clients. In this presentation, they will give a brief overview of their research, demystifying non-monogamy by exploring key vocabulary, nonmonogamous structures, and common misconceptions.
Speaker name: Axis Familant
Title: Creating Video Essays for YouTube
I spent my summer researching, scripting, recording, editing, and publishing YouTube videos that approach pop culture franchises through the lenses of some of my identities. In these videos I designed nonbinary variants of sexually dimorphic Pokemon, presented a history of how dwarves have been coded as Jews within the fantasy genre, gave an autistic reading of my favorite children’s book, and an analysis of Medusa retellings in the wake of the #MeToo movement. By the end of the summer, I’d gained over 2,000 subscribers, been viewed by over 85,000 people, and gotten my channel monetized. Come learn about independent research, video production, and YouTube channel management!
Speaker name: Belinda Mazzaferro
Title: Mount Holyoke Firsts: A Summer of Politics Research
This past summer, I worked with Linda Melconian ’70 to conduct research for her latest book, which centered on Connecticut politician Ella Grasso ’40. Ms. Melconian and I examined how Mount Holyoke instilled its values in Ms. Grasso and shaped her political career. I spent most of my summer in the Mount Holyoke Archives and Special Collections, sifting through correspondence between Ms. Grasso and her constituents. I was able to define her political values and policy priorities through this primary source research. I also completed secondary source research on “MHC Firsts,” which were notable Mount Holyoke figures. I examined biographies, legislative files, and academic databases to explore how Mount Holyoke influenced their professional and personal development. This experience strengthened my research skills, preparing me for a future legal career.